Knox College cops MCCU top debaters' title
Published:Tuesday | March 31, 2015 | 12:17 PMTamara Bailey
Mandeville, Manchester:
With only a 0.4 point difference, the Knox College debating team led the way to winning the Manchester Co-operative Credit Union (MCCU) Debating Competition ahead of Mile Gully High School last Friday at the Mandeville Hotel.
Stakeholders, teachers, and scores of students from the institutions listened intently to the solid points made by both teams as they debated the moot 'Be it resolved that it is more beneficial to join a credit union than another financial institution'.
Initially part of the Credit Union's National League Competition, the school debating series became an initiative of the MCCU and has had much success over the years. "What we have noticed over the years is that this competition has significant benefits to the children. We started with seven teams on February 26; on March 6, we had our semi-finals; and today, we are down to our two final teams. When they (the teams) start out, they are generally timid or lacking in confidence, but as the session progresses, you can truly see an improvement in how they speak to the general audience.
"When these kids do well at this level, they can only move on to doing well for the country," stated Gregory Mulgrave, MCCU's marketing officer.
He added: "What we are really trying to get is for the younger generation to understand what the credit union is all about, the benefits of having a credit union account, and, at the same time, exposing them to other financial institutions."
The winning school walked away with a cash prize of $20,000. Each member of the team received $15,000 towards an account with the credit union, and the coaches from the institution received $10,000. Placing second, Mile Gully did not leave empty-handed as the school received $10,000 and a plaque. Each member received $10,000 and the coaches received $5,000.
hard work and dedication
Captain of the Knox College debate team Trisane Morgan said that the preparation process required a lot but was happy that the team stuck it out. "At the end, we realised that with hard work and dedication we can do anything, and so we are very happy for this opportunity. Young people are not really attracted to credit unions, but through this competition, I have learnt so much and I am now in the process of becoming part of one."
Captain of the Mile Gully team Shanice Walters stated that she now has a wealth of information and would begin recruiting students for the debates next year as the benefits to be gained are priceless.