KELLY LORENNIJ
It was an “all outer islands” contest at the 39th Constitution Day high school debate competition last Friday at the International Conference Center — with Jaluit High School’s team knocking off students from Northern Islands High on Wotje to win.
Schools participating in the Marshallese language debate included Laura High School, Assumption High School, Marshall Islands High School, Jaluit High School, Northern Islands High School, and Kwajalein High School.
During the semi-final round, Laura High School (LHS) went head-to-head with Northern Islands High School (NIHS) and Jaluit High School (JHS) with Kwajalein High School on the topic: “After graduation, students should be encouraged to study and work abroad in other countries because there are more opportunities to achieve their ambitions.”
The final round featured NIHS and JHS, the former with only two debaters against Jaluit’s three. The NIHS team argued for going abroad due to the RMI’s slow economy, the impending end of Compact of Free Association grants from the US, and possible land loss from climate change.
Jaluit High argued against sending students abroad to work and study. The team stated that it doesn’t help raise our economy or work force as students go abroad and end up staying there. They claimed exposure to foreign lifestyles negatively affect Marshallese culture.
First place went to JHS’s Alee Jetton, Paul Nemra, and Helzy Zedkaia. Top three Best Individual debaters included Helzy Zedkaia (JHS), Julynn George (NIHS), and Belle Jorbelle (LHS).
Read more about this in the May 11, 2018 edition of the Marshall Islands Journal.