Somersfield Academy’s debating team is looking to the future after they “shone brightly” to win the laurels at the Bermuda Public Speaking and Debate Tournament.

Charlie Judd, head of the secondary division, said the results were a testament to the group’s hard work and preparation.

The senior debating team of Gregg Mwangi, 14, in year M4, and 15-year-old M5 students Samara Silvia and Kate Tobin, took first place in the final all-day debate on March 23.

The tournament, held at Bermuda High School from March 21, combined first-timers with debating veterans from the Devonshire school.

They went up against pupils from BHS, Saltus, Warwick Academy, the Berkeley Institute and Gray Academy from Winnipeg in the middle school division.

Mr Judd said: “Each of the students brought their own unique skill set to the team and they worked well under pressure to produce a fantastic result.

“We are proud of their accomplishments and how well they have represented the school.”

Samara said public speaking was at first a way to overcome her shyness — the former BHS pupil said she “enjoyed reading and not much else” at her old school.

She added: “I wanted to gain confidence and speak in front of people without quivering. I found that public speaking was the way to go.”

Her team-mates helped her through stage fright and Samara found herself “very confident” at the tournament.

Gregg, one of the senior debate winners, said that Samara had sold him on the idea of debating — even though he was “super nervous”. He added: “I would recommend it to anyone. Get yourself out there as much as possible. It becomes second nature.”

Neil Varwandkar, 12, an M3 student, came first overall in the public speaking radio newscast segment — something he had never tried.

He noted that it was the squad’s debating coach, Brice Purcell, pitched the idea and “I thought, why not?”

Neil said: “Use your time wisely to prepare, and also just practice speaking a lot. It helps you gain confidence.”

Ethan Madeiros, a 14-year-old M4 student who took second place for persuasive public speaking, said that expression of his opinions was easy.

He said: “I wanted to do the debate, but Gregg stole my spot.”

Ethan said playing basketball calmed his nerves. He added: “You have to work on it.

“Just know that you’re the best.”

Other award winners were Chloe Fagundo, who took second place for the public speaking radio newscast and Kate Tobin came fifth as an individual speaker in the debates.

Other Somersfield debaters included Eli Carpol, Cole Kimberly, Xavier Lee, Oliver Cherry, Emily Orchard and Eden Lightbourne.

Sam Lindo and Jonathon Gasaatura were both involved in the public speaking competition.

Mr Purcell said: “After a tremendous amount of preparation and collaboration.

“The team won all three debates, and then in an exciting final round went above and beyond to capture the title — truly impressive.”