GHS triumphs at Public Speaking Competition

After ten years of being kept off the winner’s spot, the Girls’ High School has once again copped the coveted Michael DeFreitas Challenge Trophy in this year’s Lions Club South/FLOW Secondary Schools Public Speaking Competition.

Sixteen-year-old Rhea Ollivierre dismissed the competition at the event, which took place last Wednesday, November 16, at the Russell’s Auditorium.

Speaking with SEARCHLIGHT, the Glen resident said that she felt “accomplished,” having won the top spot.{{more}}

“It was definitely something which deserved my time and effort. I did my very best, and because of this, I am very proud of myself!” she enthused.

In addition to gaining the most overall points, Ollivierre won the main topic category, ‘The recently enacted Cybercrime Act, with all its virtues, can suppress fundamental rights and freedoms’, which earned her a two-year $1,600 per year scholarship — among other prizes.

Additionally, her victory means that the Girls’ High School (GHS) will receive a $3,000 project fund from sole sponsor FLOW.

Headmistress at the GHS Andrea Bowman said that she is extremely pleased with this win, especially given that the school did not place in the finals in 2015, and the last time GHS won was in 2006, with Rihanna Thomas.

Rasheed Fontenelle, representing the St Vincent Grammar School, took second place, winning a two-year scholarship of $1,000 — among other prizes.

Third place was taken by André Spring, of the Georgetown Secondary School, who also won the prepared topic category, with ‘Skin bleaching – a teenage male perspective’. He will also receive a two-year scholarship of $500 per year.

The impromptu category was won by Jamaal Febuary, who represented the Mountain View Adventist Academy. His selected topic was ‘Illegal Drugs’.

The other participants were Rowena Dabriel, of the George Stephens Secondary School and Gemariah DeFreitas, of the Bishop’s College Kingstown.

All six students received a smartphone for having made it to the final round.

On the night, there were brief remarks from President of the Lions Club South José Davy; FLOW manager Wayne Hull; and Deborah Charles, Parliamentary Secretary in the Ministry of Education, National Reconciliation and Ecclesiastical Affairs — among others.