GoodHeart | Immaculate Conception High tops JPS Foundation debate finals

 

The moment hit when the judges confirmed their victory over St Hilda’s Diocesan High.

 

When asked to share the feeling behind the tears, the 18-year-old upper sixth-form student said, "It was for a variety of reasons, with the main one being that I was so overwhelmed with gratitude for my team who stuck it out until the end." 

 

Schoolmates La’Tavier Burton and Kirabo Musaazi supported Jonas with strong, convincing arguments, both individually at the lectern and as a team.

 

Launched in 2024 in partnership with the Jamaica Association for Debating and Empowerment (JADE), this year’s JPS Foundation Power Up Energy Club Debate Competition began in late January and ran for six weeks, featuring 16 high-school teams from across the island.

 

After three knockout rounds, the April 2 finals were held at The Jamaica Pegasus hotel’s 17th-floor Talk of the Town venue. Immaculate won $350,000 to be split among its debaters, while St Hilda’s received $150,000, and third-place Knox College took home $60,000.

 

In the final for the top prize, Immaculate opposed the motion, ‘This house would prioritise changing how energy is used over adopting newer sources of energy’, against St Hilda’s High. Reflecting on their path to victory, Jonas said each of the four rounds began with a shared document used for brainstorming and research.

"We followed up with in-depth meetings to discuss ideas, explore possible stances and finalise the arguments we intended to present,” said Jonas, who aspires to become a renewable energy engineer or cybersecurity specialist. She added that she assigned points to each speaker as the team practised, refined their speeches, and anticipated opponents’ arguments with counterpoints. 

 

Immaculate’s coach and Power Up Energy Club facilitator, Leevan Smith, expressed confidence that his team would emerge victorious ahead of the big day.

 

"We had a strong team with three top-class debaters. However, we did not take St Hilda's lightly as we recognised they were also a formidable team," said Smith.

 

The educator noted that it was Immaculate’s second attempt at the Power Up Energy Club competition, having reached the quarter-finals last year. Smith said their strategy this time focused on a more fact-based approach to improve their standing, with the team also adapting on finals day by drawing on insights into renewable energy shared by JPS Vice President – Generation (Regulated Assets), Sameer Simms, in a pre-debate presentation. 

 

Smith’s view aligned with the final decision reached by Germaine Barrett, founder and executive director of JADE, and the judging panel in awarding first place.

 

"Immaculate came out winners over St Hilda's [because] they proved more compellingly that investments in new renewable sources of energy would materially impact improvements in the environment and in the cost of energy overall, which have many subsidiary effects," Barrett noted. 

 

Barrett said he is pleased with the competition’s evolution over its three-year run, noting adjustments to the twin cornerstones of debating—content and style.

 

"Last year at the end of the competition, we reflected on what transpired and identified that in the area of content, the concern was that a lot of the argumentation was very technical and difficult to digest by the average citizen," he explained. JADE therefore hosted training sessions ahead of this year’s contest to improve how students presented content and make arguments more accessible, a goal he said was largely achieved. A public speaking expert was also retained to assist the debaters' oratory style and pacing.

 

For Denika Dixon, team captain of St Hilda's,  the runner-up position is something she’s proud of.

 

"While we aimed for first, the experience reflects our hard work, growth and dedication as a team," said the 18-year-old upper sixth former. "It was a strong performance, and I see it as both an achievement and motivation to improve even further."

As team captain, she said her role involved overseeing intense research, practising rebuttals, and refining delivery.

 

"I focused on keeping morale high, ensuring everyone stayed motivated and creating an environment where each member felt prepared,” she added.

With plans to pursue a law degree at the tertiary level, Dixon said she learned a lot about herself through being part of the debating team.

"I developed stronger confidence, leadership skills and the ability to think quickly under pressure," she added.

 

Much like Dixon, St Hilda’s debating coach Shanakay Huie had anticipated a win for the all-girls school, especially as it led all competitors in total points across the previous three rounds.

 

"We started out saying we are going to give it our best, but after our first match in the first round, we defeated Herbert Morrison, who were the first winners of the competition in 2024," Huie recounted.  "The girls said we have this; we have a chance."

 

Although St Hilda’s did not finish in pole position, Huie said her team gained a deeper appreciation for competitive spirit.

 

"All of the teams were powerhouses. They all did very well. One of the things I would say to my girls before matches is that we are not going to underestimate any team and we have to be mindful of that humility," Huie shared.

 

With the debate competition's third staging now wrapped, JPS Foundation Head Sophia Lewis was in an upbeat mood in her assessment of the objectives met.

"We were especially pleased with the participation from our rural schools, especially those in the west. Despite being impacted by Hurricane Melissa, they were still very much engaged in the competition," Lewis shared.

She also expressed gratitude for the ongoing partnership with JADE, crediting the organisation for maintaining a strong framework for the competition.