Public Speakers Mark 19-Year Streak at World Championships
CDS’s top two speech and debate students competed at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships at Clifton College in Bristol, UK, from April 11-18. This was the 19th consecutive year that Kerstin Wyndham-West has qualified her students for this competition. She was accompanied by fellow coaches John Robinson and Andrea Davidson.
This year marked the 38th WIDPSC, bringing together 147 students from 17 countries—including Singapore, Australia, Morocco, Bermuda, South Africa, Vietnam, Canada, and the United States. Each participant competed in four events: Debate, Impromptu Speaking, Persuasive Speaking, and Interpretive Reading. Ahead of the tournament, the CDS team spent time in London, balancing sightseeing with dedicated practice sessions.
Congratulations to Adhya Chandradat, who qualified for three of four finals and placed an impressive 15th overall (tied) - an incredible accomplishment for a Grade 11 student - and to Aneesa Khan, who was just one spot away from making impromptu and persuasive finals. We are incredibly proud of both CDS students and all of Team Canada.
WIDPSC was the largest tournament either girl has ever attended and allowed them to meet people from all over the world. According to Adhya, “It was such a privilege to be in an environment where I could talk to anyone from the opposite end of the world just by taking a couple steps.”
In addition to doing her interpretive reading of an excerpt from William Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Adhya was able to debate private ownership of culturally significant art and easing labour regulations during times of economic crises. Her impromptu speeches were on the following topics:
“Everything you want is on the other side of fear”, “Glass half full”, and “Everything will be okay in the end, and if it’s not okay, it’s not the end.”
Adhya’s persuasive speech was about scented products and fragrance labels that fail to list all of the dangerous chemicals, including hormone disruptors, that we don’t realize we are inhaling. Aneesa’s speech was about the unseen struggles of girls with ADHD.
Both girls were grateful for the opportunity to share their voice about topics that truly matter, and to engage in healthy competition with people whom they’ve looked up to for a while. They are already looking forward to reconnecting with these friends at the International Independent Schools’ Public Speaking Competition next fall in Oakville.
“One of the best things witnessed was other people’s viewpoints and stories, and regardless of outcomes, the love was always strong and consistent among everyone,” said Adhya. “We’re so fortunate to have incredible coaches to guide and help us become the best version of ourselves.”
Coach Davidson added, “The greatest highlight for me was watching the girls grow and evolve over time through their speeches and readings. Despite the stiff competition for students (these are the best in the world!), the WIDPSC community is so warm, and deep friendships are forged. Watching the students and coaches cheer for one another during Grand Finals and say their teary goodbyes at the end proves just what an incredible experience it is.”
Land Acknowledgment
The Country Day School wishes to recognize and acknowledge the land on which the school operates. Our nearest Indigenous Nations are now the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation and the Chippewas of Georgina Island. The Dish with One Spoon Wampum covenant is often cited as an example of the shared responsibility for caring for these lands among the Huron-Wendat, Anishinaabe and Haudenosaunee peoples who would call these their traditional territories. CDS respects the relationship with these lands and recognizes that our connection to this land can be strengthened by our continued relationship with all First Nations, by acknowledging our shared responsibility to respect and care for the land and waters for future generations.
School Information
Junior, Middle and Senior Schools
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
13415 Dufferin Street, King, Ontario L7B 1K5
(905) 833-1220
communications@cds.on.ca
admissions@cds.on.ca
Founded in 1972, The Country Day School is a co-educational private school offering programs in JK-12 and located on 100 acres north of Toronto in King.
