CDS student makes national debating and speaking team

Genevieve Laurier

King is going to be represented in March at the World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.

Genevieve Laurier, a 16- year-old student at The Country Day School (CDS) knew exactly what to say during the CanWest National Public Speaking Championships in Winnipeg earlier this month, as she secured a spot on the Canadian National Debate and Public Speaking Team.

The world competition will be held March 15 to 22.

In order to secure a spot on the team, this wordsavvy teenager battled against some of the country's best public speakers during a grueling eight-round competition in persuasive speaking, impromptu parliamentary debating, and impromptu speaking and interpretive reading.

With very little experience in the art of public speaking and debating, Laurier's verbal eloquence earned her one of only six spots on the Canadian team out of a delegation of 40 competitors from seven provinces.

"Coming from only a year's experience in public speaking and debating, it was very intimidating to be competing against the best speakers in the country," Laurier observed. "I'm very proud and equally surprised to be representing Canada."

Despite her standing as a member of the national team, Laurier must compete as an individual during the event in Germany. In the debating rounds, she will be paired with a partner from another country and will stand alone during public speaking as the competition focuses on individual performances, rather than national team efforts.

Not a problem for this teen, who was a finalist during the International Independent School's Public Speaking Championships held in England this past December.

"I am so proud of Gen's achievements," said her coach, Kerstin Windham- West. "It is really exciting to have students competing at this level. Watching their skills develop over the years is incredible, and I have no doubt that these are skills that they will use for the rest of their lives."