HILLCREST SECONDARY SCHOOL Final HILLCREST MAG 2017 | Page 41

than good’ was not only dramatic,
but uniquely controversial, with
victory being handed to Thor,
finally interrupting Odin’s
unbroken run. Najma Bishar,
whose skill had narrowly
rescued Odin from defeat
on several occasions,
received the
Champion Debater award. For
Anya Gera, a previous champion,
and captain of the Thor team,
though, the most memorable
event of the season was not
winning the shield, but seeing her
sister on stage during the Trump
debate. ‘Watching her up there,’
she commented, ‘coming to life
while spewing profanities [about
Trump] we had carefully come
up with together, really reminded
me why I have loved debating
so much over the years. It gives
everyone a chance to voice their
thoughts and have people listen to
them.’
“Although I’m a pretty opinionated person, what a lot of people don’t know is that
I have pretty intense stage fright; I debate anyway. The blind adrenaline rush from
being on stage is all at once calming and addictive, transcending physical barriers
to present a battle of the wits redemptive of one’s initial apprehension. I think
everyone should debate at least once in their school career. I promise you won’t
regret it. “Teigist Taye
By Michael Asher
www.hillcrest.ac.ke
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