Glory for Gairloch High School as they emerge triumphant champions of Deasbad BT Alba 2011
The final of this year’s BT Alba Debate competition was held on Wednesday evening at the Scottish Parliament in Edinburgh between teams from Gairloch High School and Millburn Academy.
The all girls final treated the audience to an excellent debate with Gairloch sisters Ceitidh Alice and Anna Hulme emerging as this year’s champions. It was a closely fought debate and posed an extremely difficult evening for this year’s judges, Roddy John MacLeod, Jo MacDonald and Rachel MacPherson.
Millburn girls Caitlin Smith and Emily MacKinnon were praised for the high standard that they set in the final of the competition.
Anna Hulme was presented with the Trophy for the Best Speaker of the Debate, by Alasdair MacLeod of BBC Scotland. The judges were extremely impressed with Anna throughout the competition and as well as delivering sharp, well thought out arguments Anna also won praise for her speeches which were not written down. A difficult undertaking for any adult, Anna delivered her presentations with style and professionalism which far exceed her young years.