Appleby College - Argus Yearbook (Oakville, Ontario Canada)

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ISAA Debating 1977-78 proved to be another active and successful year for the Appleby Debating Society. Starting with our own Invitational Tournament in November and running through until the last Fulford Cup debate in April, Appleby has been prominant in the debating world of southern Ontario. No one can deserve more credit for such activity than Mr. Bill Humphreys. Mr. Humphreys works tirelessly, not only in coaching Appleby ' s (and at times St. Mildred Lightbourne ' s) debating teams, but also for deba- ting as a whole, in his capacity as Secretary of the Ontario Student Debating Union. Mr. Himiphrey ' s enthusiasm and keenness is infec- tious - we cannot help but do well with Mr. Himiphreys on our side. Proof of oiu success can be seen in the Fulford Cup where we

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Debating Appleby held its Ninth Annual Invitational Debating Tournament on a fine November Saturday. Twenty-one schools from all over Ontario sent two debaters each including a duo of our ovni from Appleby. At 12:15 promptly the debating began and the serenity of the afternoon was shattered by furious cross-examination and much enthusiastic speaking for and against the resolution: that Canada cannot survive without Quebec . After the first round of debating a quick liuicheon was eaten in the gymnasium and then the debaters scurried off to prepare for the impromptu debate that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder . A third round with the same resolution as the first, followed. After a sumptuous supper the six finalists were announced. While they put the Tournament final touches to their speeches, the house was entertained vdth public speaking by the runners up. The day was climaxed by a fast paced and exciting final debate in the dining hall. Dr. George Ignatieff, Provost of Trinity College and one of Canada ' s premier statesman, honoured us as head judge for this debate. Mrs. Larsen presented prizes to the finalists and the best public speaker. The best debater was Scott Cooper of St. Catherines. The Anne Wickam Memorial Cup donated by the late Mr. O ' Byran in memory of his wife was awarded to the best school team - Ashbury College in Ottawa. The tournament featured most of the top debaters in On- tario and was again a success thanks to the judges, debaters, kitchen staff, speakers and timers, and of course, our own Mr. Himiphreys. Chris Thompson

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finished fourth with a 3-2 won-lost record. However, one extra win would have vaulted Appleby to a first place finish. Whatever the result, the quality of debating was excellent. What Appleby lacked in numbers she made up for with extra determination. Hardly a weekend went past without one tournament (if not two) and the Society did quite creditably. Most notably, Graham Leggat and Steven Harmer finished first and third respec- tively at the Hamilton Regionals and went on to Kingston for the Provincials Final where they had a good time and placed well in a field of Ontario ' s top debaters. Not only did we participate widely in tournaments, but this year, under the guiding hand and gilded tongue of Richard WooUey, we entertained St. Mildred ' s Lightbourne School for a series of informal debates every Monday evening. These were a roaring success, and involved many of our younger and less experienced debaters in an enjoyable and less pressurefilled type of debating. Thank-you Richard and St. Milly ' s. Debating Tie holders were impressed with the year ' s triiunph and voted colours to Charles Stacey, Sean Baines and Richard WooUey for their efforts in this year and years past. 1978-79 promised to be no less fruitful than this year. Although graduates Alasdair Halliday, Charles Stacey and George Stott, members who have always done more that their share for the society, will be missing from our ranks, we expect to have a large number of Grade 13 debaters to replace them. There should be many enthusiastic Grade ll ' s who will now be able to par- ticipate in Senior Fulford Cup events and good support among Grade lO ' s. Perhaps best of all, we will have a bumper crop of Grade 9 debaters from the Junior School. The future indeed looks good for the Appleby Debating Society. Chris Thompson