Joining Speech & Debate

If public speaking is something you’ve always been interested in, or if it’s something you think you might be, come out for Speech and Debate in 2017-2018! Speech and Debate meets afterschool on Mondays in room 1140.

Speech and Debate at Nelson Mandela High School is a leadership and presentation skills focused extra-curricular for anyone who wants to hone their ability to effectively argue, discuss relevant political and social topics, and ultimately improve their persuasiveness and public speaking. Students participating in Speech and Debate this year have been working to understand the fundamentals of effective speaking (tone, volume, pace, and pronunciation) through constructing engaging introductory speeches and participating in informal debates.

As a recipient of the ConocoPhillips World Schools Debate Development Endowment Fund from Educations Matters, NMHS Speech and Debate is currently conducting fundraisers to offset future Alberta Speech and Debate Association membership fees, club expenses, and fees for participation in external debates for club members. Part 1 of our fundraising initiative involves the “re-branding” of World’s Finest Chocolate Almonds to such names as ‘Emperor’s Choice’, ‘Harambe’s Finest’, and ‘Roast’them Almonds’, with a sales pitch to accompany. Later, Speech and Debate and Leadership will be working together to sell chocolates as part of a Candy-Gram for Valentines Day.

In the coming weeks, we will be showcasing our debates at the Grade 9 Tours, at which time you will have an opportunity to talk with current members about their experience in the club this year. In the late spring, Nelson Mandela will be hosting a debate tournament for grade 9 students from surrounding junior high and middle schools.