Premier Michael Dunkley has voiced his support and best wishes for three students who will represent Bermuda at a debate tournament in Europe.

Mr Dunkley and Minister of Education Grant Gibbons welcomed the youngsters to the Cabinet Office ahead of their trip next week.

Megan Sutcliff, 15, a student at Bermuda High School; Ciara Burrow, 18, from Saltus Grammar School and Ryan Robinson Perinchief, 17, from the Berkeley Institute; will attend the Heart of Europe Debate Tournament in the Czech Republic from July 10-15 as members of the Bermuda Debate Society.

The Premier and Dr Gibbons wished the team well and encouraged the students, with Mr Dunkley describing the trip as “an exciting journey of learning and development”.

Bermuda Debate Society president Marisa Sharpe said this was the first time they had sent a contingent to the European competition.

The students, who will be accompanied by coach Christianna Hiles, have spent months preparing for the event.

Joining the youngsters at the Cabinet Office were debaters Aliyyah Ahad and Akilah Beckles, who will next month attend the World Schools Debate Competition in Bangkok, Thailand, as first-time international adjudicators.

Bermuda Debate Society is a non-profit organisation that promotes debate for Bermuda’s students, coordinates debating activities, trains judges and coaches and sponsors the Bermuda National Debating Team at the World Schools Debate Championships.