MRHS debaters Geek-chic

By Heather Killen

Spectator

NovaNewsNow.com

Laura Cole, Ashley Rerrie, and Diane Malo know they can talk pretty tough whenever they put on their old lady skirts.

These three top debaters at Middleton Regional High School are heading off to compete in nationals.

To relieve the nervousness they feel whenever they come up against the formidable teams entered by Halifax’s elite privately-run academies, the girls’ have made up their own battle songs, including one about how they feel about the strict dress code enforced at the competitions.

“I have a black old-lady skirt that starts at my waist and goes down to just above my knees,” said Diane Malo. “So we made up a theme song.”

While the dress code during the competitions may be conservative, the empowering effect is Geek-chic.

She and teammate Gabe Rosconi-Robertson won spots on the provincial French debate team. Malo will head to Calgary later this month to compete in the French debate during the National Seminar.

Laura Cole, team captain said the trips are far from uncool, and team members have become good friends.

“When the hardcore teams are there, they don’t look like they’re having any fun,” she added.

She and Ashley Rerrie recently had the highest finish ever for a Middleton team, coming close behind elite teams from Sacred Heart and The Grammar School.

Ashley finished in the top 10, qualifying for a spot on the National Debating Seminar.

And both Laura and Ashley qualified for the North American Debate Championships to be held later this month in Winnepeg.

Overall, the 15-member debating team at MRHS is already off to a flying start this year, according to team coach David Stewart.

The team members for 2008-2009 are: Captain Laura Cole, Ashley Rerrie, Kyra Shields, Kailey Shearer, Lauren Perry, Emily McGuirk, Diane Malo, Gabe Roberson, Joel Skaling, Sherry Bannman, Leah Molyneaux, Colin Deal, Chelsea Fougere, Patrick Briand and Haley Corkum.

The team is coached by David Stewart and Suzanne Height.