KDUDA Interschool debate among other musings

Well debate season is officially over.

In the absence of Taylors(which has been going on for the past 15 years uninterrupted until now), SMKSS17 sent in Leon, Rishen and Esther for a little bit of exposure to varsity level debating. Thats right. This really was an eyeopener to debating in its truest form. 30 mins prep time. Debating real issues. With proper adjudication by seasoned uni debaters(one of which happened to be Suhaib, which just makes him so proud).

Round 1

NS has done more harm than good

SMKSS17(gov)vsSMK Bukit Bandaraya 3(opp)

SMK Bukit Bandaraya edged them out on this one.

Round 2

THW not allow children to participate in Reality TV shows

SMKSS17(gov)vsSMKUSJ4 3(opp)

USJ 4 had pretty much the same team that got thrashed in the test scores debate, but this one performed much better, with the Rahman dude being much improved, as for the 2nd speaker, well there was no POIs for this round, and they had this brilliant Chinese dude who was 3rd speaker which won the debate for USJ 4.

Round 3

THW not allow the Malaysian PM to serve for more than 2 terms

SMK Sungai Buloh 2(gov)vs SMKSS17(opp)

SS17 won here. The other team was crap.

Round 4(humour round)

THBT comic book superheroes should not have secret identities

SMKSS17(gov) vs SMK Taman Desa 1(opp)

Generally good humoured debate. Everyone was dead tired by this time. Results not announced. Close.

Round 5

THBT the WHO should restrict international movement during pandemics

SMKSS17(gov)vsSMK Sungai Buloh 2 (opp)

Up against same crap team. Results not released, but probably a win.

SMKSS17 didnt breat into the octofinals, and neither did the Seafield team that won Taylors in Suhaib's year or the USJ 4 team. SMK DJ as usual had all 3 teams break, Catholic High had all 5 teams break, but the winner was SMK Bukit Sentosa and one of the Catholic High teams were runners up.

This debate competition was most definately the highest quality competition he has ever seen, not to mention the insane format and the tough adjudication. A real baptism of fire for Leon and Rishen. Esther was solid as expected, never had any doubts about her, shes born to talk. But its Rishi who has improved ALOT. This form 3 kid actually prepped his own speech in half and hour and went up there and talked off the cuff for 7 minutes. He actually managed to do it. For all 4 rounds. The kid already has more experience(in terms of quality and quantity) than Suhaib had when Suhaib was 15, he can only imagine how good Rishi will be once he's 17.

Speaking of Suhaib. It really gives you a warm fuzzy feeling inside to see this kid you worked with in F4, with his immature speeches and silly mistakes, grow over time to suddenly becoming this kick-ass debater leading his own team in F5 to the Taylors Final(albeit with some coaching), and finally now being all grown up (every bit of 18), to see him actually adjudicating High School debates, its just, wow.

And it doesnt stop there. Rishi told him that he's his idol. Apparently what got Rishi into debating was reading his blog(forthelackofbetterwords.blogspot.com), with all the debate adventures in it, and it, quote "inspired" unquote him to be a debater. He never thought his blogposts could actually inspire anybody. But this dude, who is all 6 feet of burning passion for debate is proof. It is truly an awesome feeling to inspire somebody to be passionate about something in the same way you are too. And to be their idol. Its fulfilling. Never mind the fact he has never accomplished anything much as a debater, as a coach, this warm fuzzy feeling more than makes up for it. And of course being able to associate the best run the school has ever had in English debate competitions for the past 3 years to himself.

2007- Wira Zon Champs, District semifinalists, Taylors semifinalists
2008-Taylors runner's up(wonder what the school did with the 5K)
2009-Wira Zon Champs, District semifinalists

Certainly a more consistent record in the past 3 years than any of the schools around here. Remarkable achievement for a team with little resources and him for a coach.

Now, life may appear to be a post-debate downward spiral, but all he really has to do is get this little inconvenience called STPM over with, and sit tight until next season. Ooh, the fuzzy feeling is awesome.