The Bermuda High School for Girls hosted the opening ceremony yesterday for an international public-speaking competition.

Local dignitaries and school leaders met in the school’s Queen Elizabeth Hall to mark the official start of the International Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition. It is the first time it has been hosted in Bermuda.

The school saw 99 pupils from the United States, Canada and India join 16 youngsters from local private schools, including BHS and its cohost, Saltus Grammar School.

Carol Swainson, the head of BHS, told attendees at the ceremony: “We are really thrilled and absolutely delighted to have all of the students, coaches and judges here in Bermuda for this amazing international competition.”

The opening ceremony was attended by the Governor, Rena Lalgie, as well as James Sallay, the Acting US Consul General, and Isabel Ramsey-Blackstone, the Canadian Consul.

The competition will test students’ skills in several categories, including impromptu speaking, extemporaneous speaking, parliamentary debate and dramatic interpretation.

Volunteer judges will oversee performances over the four-day event.

This year’s competition also serves as the third time in the IISPSC’s 40-year history that it has ever been hosted outside North America, with the other times being in Hong Kong and Britain.

Helena Thomas, a competitor from BHS, said it was a “great experience” to have students from 34 schools meet on the island.

She explained: “The people are wonderful and the competition is just as good, if not better.”

Helena added: “This is good for us to branch out and experience hosting international events and facing harder competition, as a lot of the time you can be a big fish in a small pond in Bermuda.”

Helena will be performing alongside her colleagues, Hannah Taylor and Gabby Smith.

She said: “We are all so excited — we have been practising hard and our team is ready.”

The competition started at 5.30pm yesterday with dramatic interpretation, followed by a persuasive-speaking competition at 7.30pm.

Callie Lucas, a Year 11 student from Saltus and one of the school’s six competitors, will be taking part for the second year.

She called her growth an “incredible journey” that built on her passion for public speaking.

Callie said: “Last year I had the chance to travel to Vancouver [in Canada] and later I took part in our own tournament here in Bermuda.

“The skills I’ve developed and the challenges I’ve faced have pushed me further than I ever imagined.”

Julie Rousseau, the head of Saltus, said that partnering with Saltus’s sister-school for the IISPSC was “a fantastic opportunity”.

She said: “Students sharpen skills like communication, collaboration and critical thinking — tools that will serve them well into the future.

“Hosting such a high-calibre event right here in Bermuda adds a unique touch to the experience for everyone involved.”

Nadia Robinson, the deputy head of school, who spoke at the ceremony in Ms Rousseau’s place, echoed the words of the head of school.

She said: “It is truly remarkable to see over 100 students and coaches form 34 schools across North America and as far as India joining us today.

“What a privilege for all of us to be a part of this historical moment.”

The competition will resume today at 1.45pm with the extemporaneous and impromptu speaking categories.