The Elmore Stoutt High School comfortably defeated the Claudia Creque Educational Centre Secondary Division in the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition, securing a berth in the finals against last year’s champions, the Bregado Flax Educational Centre Secondary Division in the process. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

Claudia Creque Educational Centre was represented by Mr. Lawrence Kirton-Wheatley (right) and Mr. Rondel Smith.

Scene from the semi-finals of the 2014 Inter-Secondary School Debate Competition held at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall on April 30, 2014. Photo: VINO

The teams debated the moot, “Scooters/Motor bikes should be banned in the Virgin Islands” at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall last evening, April 30, 2014.

The proposition team, Elmore Stoutt High, who won with 425 points, was represented by Ms. Jian Jeffers and Ms Zahra Corion while the Claudia Creque Educational Centre was represented by Mr. Lawrence Kirton-Wheatley and Mr. Rondel Smith.

Jian Jeffers of Elmore Stoutt was adjudged the best speaker. Her team relied extensively on news articles and detailed statistics in arguing their points. Quoting statistics on the accidents caused by scooters in the Territory, the team argued that the two-wheeled vehicles were not suitable for the terrain and should be banned or these and other reasons.

The opposition team supported the education of potential scooter riders and suggested more training and better enforcement practices should be in place to avoid the terrible reputation that scooter riders, the majority of whom are youths, have gotten over the years.

The debaters were applauded for their preparation, poise, exceptional delivery and good command of the material among other things.

The final debate is set for Wednesday, May 7, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Sir Rupert Briercliffe Hall where the two teams will debate the topic “The Decriminalization of marijuana will do more good than harm to the Virgin Islands.”