Dynamic Duo Crowned 1st & 2nd in the World
Our top two debaters, Natalie Ganzhorn ’16 and Olivia Railton ’17 made history on Monday evening, winning 1st and 2nd place in overall scoring at the 28th annual World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championship in Pittsburgh, PA. This was Natalie’s fourth and final World Championship, having previously traveled to South Africa, Lithuania and Hong Kong, and Olivia’s second.
Approximately 100 high school students from 10 countries travelled to Shady Side Academy from March 30-April 4 to compete in this unique, global event, including students from Australia, Canada, China, Cyprus, England, Hong Kong, Lithuania, Pakistan, South Africa and the United States. The 14-student Canadian team represented students from other GTA schools, including UTS, Branksome Hall, Havergal, BSS and St. Clement’s.
“The girls’ performances were absolutely superb,” said their Debating Coach Kerstin Wyndham-West. “Over the years they’ve put in so much time and effort. This year was their crowning achievement.”
Natalie and Olivia were the only two students to qualify for the finals in all of their four events: Impromptu Speaking, Parliamentary Debating, Interpretive Reading and Persuasive Speaking. Both girls tackled controversial issues for their persuasive speeches: Natalie addressed the topic of female genital mutilation, not just in developing countries, but all over the world, while Olivia spoke about cyberterrorism. For her reading, Olivia chose a selection from The Day the Voices Stopped about a man who, after 30 years, no longer suffers from schizophrenia. Natalie’s reading was taken from Emma Donoghue’s novel Room.
Wyndham-West has facilitated the public speaking and debating program at CDS for more than 20 years and has travelled to Worlds with one or two students for the past nine. She is optimistic about the future as her club has grown steadily over the past few years as the older students provide inspirational mentoring to the younger ones.
Monday’s historic win further demonstrates the power of involvement in extra-curricular clubs. Through their involvement over the past six years, Natalie and Olivia have not only honed their skills as dynamic public speakers, but realized how invaluable it has been in further developing their individual passions: a budding acting career for Natalie and a pursuit of international relations, law and philosophy for Olivia.
CDS is incredibly proud of both of them!
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
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.
(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.
