SEDA Newsletter Celebrating Provincials 2023 |
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Dear Members and Supporters of SEDA, It has been an honour to serve as Interim Executive Director for SEDA during this exciting time of transition and growth. As we begin to emerge from the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic, I am proud to report that SEDA has successfully returned to in-person programming, reconnecting with communities across the province. [We] have remained steadfast in our commitment to providing opportunities for youth to develop critical thinking, communication, and leadership skills through debate. Our virtual programming has allowed us to expand our reach and engage with new participants, and our return to in-person events has been met with enthusiasm and excitement. As my tenure as Interim Executive Director comes to a close, I want to express my gratitude to the SEDA community for their support and dedication to our mission. I am confident that SEDA will continue to thrive [,] and I look forward to following its progress in the years to come. Sincerely,
Kehan Fu |
Dear SEDA members, Coming back to experience the energy and skill of SEDA debaters in person was a perfect way to end my maternity leave. It’s been a pleasure reconnecting with the debaters, staff, volunteers, and parents. By all accounts, our first in-person tournament season following COVID restrictions has been a resounding success. I would like to thank all the staff and volunteers for all the hard work and resilience that was needed in the face of navigating our first in-person season back. It’s energising to see debaters actively finding ways to mentor each other and share their passion and love for debate with one another. Together with the rest of the staff, we remain committed to providing quality, sustainable programming for all SEDA members. We are currently reviewing the programming from the last season, and I encourage you to complete the survey attached in the newsletter. Your feedback will help us have a more complete understanding of how the season went, and the ways in which we could improve our programming. To the debaters participating in upcoming National tournaments, I wish you well. To all SEDA debaters, thank you for helping us move closer to our vision of a world where youth have the confidence and skills to engage in reasoned discourse on complex and difficult issues. Fiseko Musonda Executive Director |
SEDA wants to hear from you! If you are a debater, a parent, a coach, or a volunteer judge, we encourage you to take 2 minutes to fill in our end of year survey. Thank you for helping us improve our programming. |
"I really enjoyed this tournament [Provincial Championship]. During the debate season, I've met and debated so many amazing people and this was the perfect wrap-up and celebration. The food was so unique and delicious and it was so well organized!" "I loved watching the open debate as I know I can look up to them as role models. I did wish we received our time warning for the impromptu rounds but I don't mind a lot. And as a perfect end to the day, I really enjoyed the awards. I was so excited when I won the first place beginner team and speaker in the province. But what I was most thankful for was the people I got to meet and the experiences I go to have. The awards are excellent milestones and encouragements on my journey but at the end of the day, it's debating that I truly love. Thanks SEDA! Looking forward to learn more from instructors and other debaters throughout the summer! " -Kaitlyn, Gr.5 |
E.C Leslie Provincial Debate Championships |
Held over two days, March 24th and 25th, our successful Provincial Championship was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate all the students who participated in debate this year. Thank you to all the incredible volunteer judges who joined us in celebrating a fantastic year of debate! |
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We would like to thank the Saskatchewan Law foundation for their generous funding for this event. |
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Prepared motion for all divisions: This house supports a complete switch to using AI and big data to replace human judgment in sentencing Impromptu motion for all divisions: This house would punish parents for the crimes committed by their children Elementary impromptu motion: When teachers catch students breaking the rules, This house believes that punishments should be decided by a student jury/committee High school impromptu motion: This house would elect judges Open final motion: This house regrets MAID (medical assistance in dying) |
Top Open Teams - Will S. & Rafay A., Walter Murray Collegiate
- Isabelle M. & Sahasro B., Bedford Road Collegiate
- Lucas L. & Samuel W., Walter Murray School
Top Open Speakers - Isabelle M., Bedford Road Collegiate
- Lucas L., Walter Murray Collegiate
- Sahasro B., Bedford Road Collegiate
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Top Novice Teams - Jessica Y. & Cecilia S., Centennial Collegiate
- Zoha S.& Lila G., Luther College High School
- Hannah R. & Jorja Y., Swift Current Comprehensive High School
Top Novice Speakers - Lila G., Luther College High School
- Cecilia S., Centennial Collegiate
- Hannah R., Swift Current Comprehensive High School
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Top Intermediate Teams - Ibrahim H. & Zefeng Y., Greystone Heights School & Sylvia Fedoruk School
- Luke M. & Amelia S., SHED debate club (Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters)
- Eason H. & Tenley M., SHED debate club (Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters)
Top Intermediate Speakers - Ibrahim H., Greystone Heights School
- Luke M., SHED (Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters)
- Zefeng Y., Sylvia Fedoruk School
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Top Beginner Teams - Kaitlyn H. & Abraham M., Caswell School
- Rishika V. & Ellen Q., Sylvia Fedoruk School
- Durga A. & Delisha K., Sylvia Fedoruk
Top Beginner Speakers - Kaitlyn H., Caswell School
- Abraham M., Caswell School
- Rishika V., Sylvia Fedoruk School
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The top grade 9 open speaker was Peyton M. from the Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters club. |
| The top grade 9 open team was Nialan Y. & Afrukhta S. from the Walter Murray Debate Club. |
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Provincial Volunteer Awards |
Annually, we bestow awards to members and volunteers who have shown unparalleled enthusiasm and commitment to debate. The Melissa Uy Ong, SHED Spirit of Debate Awards are given to debaters of outstanding character who are role models and leaders within their clubs and the debate community. The nominees recognize debate as a way to encourage civil discourse and dialogue, and a way to build a strong community. Nominees demonstrate integrity, sportsmanship, inclusiveness and an enthusiasm for debate and learning. The Elementary Spirit of Debate Award winner was Ibrahim Hamada from Greystone heights School. |
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Annually, we bestow awards to members and volunteers who have shown unparalleled enthusiasm and commitment to debate. The Melissa Uy Ong, SHED Spirit of Debate Awards are given to debaters of outstanding character who are role models and leaders within their clubs and the debate community. The nominees recognize debate as a way to encourage civil discourse and dialogue, and a way to build a strong community. Nominees demonstrate integrity, sportsmanship, inclusiveness and an enthusiasm for debate and learning. The Elementary Spirit of Debate Award winner was Ibrahim Hamada from Greystone heights School. |
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| "Ibrahim is a valuable member of the Greystone Heights Club. He exemplifies student leadership. This year he has been a positive role model for all our beginner debaters. Ibrahim willingly supports and mentors new club members. He models and coaches argument building, speech writing and clashing with our less experienced debaters. Ibrahim took charge of writing resolutions, creating draws and judging for our club's mini-tournament. He volunteered as the iron man opponent at SEDA tournaments when there was an uneven number of teams. Ibrahim is invested in the success and growth of his club." -Club Coach |
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The High School Spirit of Debate Award winners were Peyton Manz & Avery MacMillan of the Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters Club. "They both are committed to growth: their own and their younger teammates and siblings. They are enthusiastic ambassadors for debate and SEDA at Cross, Murray, and Centennial. They challenge each other and their competitors. And they both keep me and their parents on our toes to keep up with coaching them." -Club Coach |
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The Youth Volunteer Award recognizes a SEDA member in high school who has contributed significantly to the SEDA community, exceeding expectations for SEDA members. The nominees have organized special events, assisted with workshops, assumed coaching or teaching responsibilities for a club, and helped facilitate tournaments. This year's recipient was Leah Longo for her work with the Sylvia Fedoruk Debate Club. "Leah has come to just about all of our club meetings all season, even though she has moved on to high school. She reached out to me in the fall and offered to volunteer, and she is extremely responsible when it comes to communicating with me and being on time. In addition to being flexible and working with whichever group needs her the most, she has also prepared “mini lessons” in advance to help debaters understand concepts like actors’ wheel and LEET. She has been a great help and role model to the new debaters in our club, and she’s also very generous with her knowledge and experience when giving debate tips to our intermediate teams. We are so thankful for Leah- I absolutely couldn’t have done it without her this year!" -Sylvia Fedoruk Club Coach The Meritorious Volunteer Award is given to an adult volunteer who contributes to the SEDA community beyond regular or standard judging or coaching duties. This year's award winner was Pat Cooley. "Pat Cooley has been a dedicated judge over the last few years, serving online and in person, even when the family who initially "recruited" her isn't debating. We are so grateful for her faithfulness!" - Club Coach |
We are happy to announce that SEDA will be offering a Speech and Debate Camp this summer! We are working hard to confirm all the details so parents and participants can make their summer plans. |
 | The Saskatchewan Elocution and Debate Association (SEDA) is a registered charity and non-profit organization that aims to promote debate and speech throughout Saskatchewan by hosting competitive tournaments, helping start speech and debate clubs, running workshops, and teaching speech and debate skills to students in grades 5-12. |
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310 Wall Street Suite 207, Saskatoon, SK S7K 1N7 Tell: 306-780-9243 Email: info@saskdebate.com |
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