The 2011 E.C. Leslie Provincial Championships were held at Campbell Collegiate on March 25-26.
Download compelete results here.
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survey and your ballots to
vote for next year's resolutions (ballots and resolution
suggestions accepted unitl April 30 - feeback is always
welcome).
Videos of the Guest lecture and the Open Final will be posted in
the Members' Area soon. Register as a member now!
Friday night started with special guest speaker Chief Perry Bellegarde, who held the debaters and their coaches spellbound during his two hour presentation on the provincials' topic: This house would allocate seats for aboriginal people in the House of Commons.
During his talk, nearly 16 SEDA debaters, coaches, board members and staff particpated in the Annual General Meeting. The membership approved the 2009-2010 Audited Financial statements, accepted the Executive Director's report on the activities of the past year, elected a new Board of Directors and discussed several issues. The membership voted to adopt a new 100 point ballot with descriptors and to say farewell to the traditional Hitchcock's weekend for a shorter and more central one-day workshop. The members also discussed the new judges' video, Team Sask composition, travel funding, hosting the next National Seminar, possible Culture Days activities, CSDF strategic planning, fundraising ideas and redefining the junior and novice category eligibility. The members asked the Board to discuss these issues at the June planning meeting.
The 2011-2012 Board is comprised of:
Byron Merkosky (past-president), Sherry Van Hesteren,
(president), Greg Fingas (vice-president), Dana Brule
(Treasurer)
Melissa Ong, Kara Helms, Dr. Muhammad Salim, Dylan Hardy and Ron
Haughey (directors)
Matthew Schmeiser, Kyle MacDonald (alumni representatives)
With four regular rounds, plus an Open Final, Saturday was a full
day of debate. There were 102 debaters participating in the five
categories, and representing 12 clubs: Regina Huda School,
Saskatoon Home Educated Debaters, Columbia Elementary (Yorkton),
Victoria Elementary (Saskatoon), Greystone Heights Elementary
(Saskatoon), Regina City Wide Club, Lumsden Elementary, Campbell
Collegiate (Regina), Estevan Comprehensive, Holy Cross High School
(Saskatoon), Walter Murray Collegiate (Saskatoon) and Weyburn
Comprehensive School. The Open final, between Campbell's Julia P.
and Brandon P. on side Government, and Walter Murray's Nicholas C.
and Stefan B. was won by the Opposition. Special guest judges
included MP Ralph Goodale, Speaker of the House Don Toth, Assistant
Deputy Minister of Education Darren McKee, professor Troni Grande,
and SEDA Alumni Dana Brule, Tamara Harder and Merritt Kocdag.
The Banquet and Awards was held at the Travelodge, with a spagetti
and chicken finger buffet. MP Tom Luikwski made a brief appearance.
Special head table guests Don Toth, Danielle Chartier (Saskatoon
Riversdale MLA) and Darren McKee were joined at the front table by
a number of debaters during supper. Ms. Chartier delivered a
keynote address on the importance of women being represented in
legislatures and Parliament. All the special guests helped present
the debating awards.
In addition to the top three teams and speakers in each category,
SEDA also thanked departing board members Sharon Harvey and Tammy
Weisbrod for their service to debate and recognized various
volunteers.
Long-time Saskatoon coach Mike McGarity was honoured with the
Willis S. McLeese award for his years of service to debate. Regina
City-wide coach Hira Fida received the Meritorious Volunteer Award
for starting up a club for Regina's young debaters who did not have
school support to have a club. She was honoured by a short speech
by her twin brothers and by each member of her club. Walter Murray
debater Kelly Z. received the Youth Volunteer Award for always
being the first to volunteer to help - as an assistant facilitator
at the summer camp, to moderate, judge, swing debate, or help where
ever it is needed.
SEDA also thanked all its hosts for the 2010-2011 Season and
wished the best of luck to the Junior and Senior National
Teams.
