WPGA Debaters Shine at Senior National Championships in Truro

By Ms. Jenise Boland, Social Studies Teacher

WPGA’s debate team travelled coast-to-coast this week to compete at the Canadian Senior National Debate Championships in Truro, Nova Scotia, joining teams from across Canada, including the Territories, for one of the country’s most prestigious high school debate events.

After arriving exhausted from travel and adjusting to the Nova Scotia time change, students jumped immediately into the opening rounds of competition. A good sleep-in Friday morning and a hearty breakfast helped prepare the team for an intense and exciting weekend alongside 120 of the nation’s top high school debaters.

WPGA students represented the school with tremendous skill, resilience, and camaraderie throughout the tournament. Seniors Evangeline Lin ’27 and James Wang ’27 advanced all the way to the Quarter Finals, an outstanding accomplishment at the national level. James also earned individual recognition as one of the top speakers in Canada, placing 8th overall in the nation.

No time to rest followed the conclusion of Nationals, as Team Canada Debate tryouts immediately began. The tryouts bring together some of the strongest young debaters in the country, all competing for the opportunity to represent Canada internationally. Kai Yee Lee ’26 and Evangeline continued on to face off against the very best debaters in the nation, with results still pending.

Beyond the competition itself, the weekend was filled with laughter, a few tears, hot chocolate, hockey games, late-night Uber Eats deliveries, pizza, and a growing sense of team spirit. Students had the opportunity to connect not only with each other, but also with an incredibly generous community of parents, judges, alumni, and event organizers who make tournaments like this possible.

The team hopes to celebrate the end of a memorable weekend with a dinner in downtown Truro before beginning the long journey home.

Congratulations to all of our debaters for representing WPGA with intelligence, grace, humour, and determination on the national stage.
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Since 1996, West Point Grey Academy has gratefully resided on the Jericho Lands, the unceded traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam Indian Band), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) Nation and sə̓lílwətaʔɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nation. Honoured to learn and play on these beautiful lands, we endeavour to be a leader in Indigenous education. In creating shared understanding and opportunities, we hope to help foster a more equitable society for all.

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West Point Grey Academy

4125 West 8th Avenue
Vancouver, B.C., V6R 4P9
Tel: 604-222-8750