By Jessa Joyce I Tamiok, Moderator of the Xavier Debate Circle
Two of three Xavier Ateneo teams were able to advance in the semifinals in the high school bracket in the Visayas-Mindanao Debate Championship 2018 held at Father Saturnino Urios University in Butuan City.
They competed against more than 40 teams from universities, colleges, and high schools all over Visayas and Mindanao.
The XU Senior High School representatives were composed of three teams: XUSHS A (James Ryan Cachola from G12-Berrigan and Kaye Danielle Terese Sorronda from G12-Richard); XUSHS B (Alfe Angelica Padla from G12-Nicholson and Sixto Abeth Lalanto II of G12-Arrupe); XUSHS C (Neil Christian Padua from G12-Consolmagno and Michael Anthony Gabriel Go from G11-Tacquet).
All of the teams were able to proceed in the pre-semifinals in the high school bracket, however, only two teams, XUSHS A and XUSHS B, proceeded to the semifinals in the high school bracket. Three of our debaters were awarded as best speakers, namely, Neil Christian Padua as 10th Best speaker, James Ryan Cachola as 7th Best Speaker, and Kaye Danielle Terese Sorronda as 5th Best Speaker.
With the intensive training and hard work, the teams were reached this far in the competition to bring honor to the school.∎