Friday, February 22 2008

Queen’s Royal College received the nod of approval from the panel of judges at yesterday’s round three match of the RBTT Young Leaders Debate at the National Library, Port-of-Spain, ousting Vessigny Government Secondary School from the competition.

Judges were treated to what was called a “colourful and refreshing” debate as both schools used real- life examples and unconventional methods to highlight and strengthen their respective arguments for and against the motion “Be it resolved that technology has created a gap between generations that cannot be bridged”. Students Jayson Paul and Jessie Chandler of Queen’s Royal College were a force to be reckoned with as they delivered strong arguments in support of the motion. Paul instrumentally explained how the generation gap could not be bridged by comparing the situation to a freighter and a speed boat travelling in the ocean. He said the freighter and speed boat, representing the older and younger generation respectively, cannot travel at the same speed because of their differences.

Although they were denied entry into the quarter-finals, Verlene Charles and Jamie-Ann Jacob of Vessigny Government Secondary School presented substantial arguments condemning the motion saying that the “generation gap can indeed be bridged with the use of technology”. They argued that technological advances such as the internet and cellular telephones were essential in enhancing communication between the young and old. The team pleasantly surprised the listening audience when they touched on the advances which have made it possible for the young to identify with the old via musical remakes by singing pieces of musical legend Bob Marley and contemporary soca singer Bunji Garlin.

After deliberation, the judges ruled in favour of Queen’s Royal College. In the preceding debate, Bon Air High School defeated opponents Morvant/Laventille Secondary School to qualify for the next round.