Bermuda High School for Girls won the top honours at last weekend's Ninth National Debate Championships at the Bermuda College.

And although she lost the war, Saltus Grammar School's Kalilah Robinson won the big battle when she earned the top individual debater award.

"It is a cliche but this was definitely a learning experience,'' Ms Robinson said.

And she threw down a challenge for next year, adding: "We will come back and we are going to do better. I was honestly shocked to win the individual prize.'' Kalilah was speaking after a day of more than 30 debates by 22 teams from several schools.

More than 150 students debated in two lecture theatres and several classrooms at the Stonington campus until the final dramatic debate between BHS and Saltus.

President of the National Debate Society, former premier David Saul announced the judges' decision and said the decision was a tough one.

Dr. Saul told debaters: "The teamwork and research shown by both sides was excellent, as was the wit and humour. It was a good performance by all.

"It was as close as I have ever seen a debate. But it was a hair's breadth in favour of BHS,'' he said to raucous applause.

And Dr. Saul -- always the school teacher -- gave pointers to debaters and broke up the audience when he told of how British Prime Minister Winston Churchill once avoided being unparliamentary.

"Never ever tell the opposition that they are a liar,'' he said. "Churchill was famous. He got around it by saying `that gentleman used a terminological inexactitude'.'' The championships, organised by the Bermuda Junior Service League and the Debate Society, were attended by dozens of dignitaries, many of whom participated as judges, including Premier Jennifer Smith, and parliamentarians John Barritt, Michael Scott, and Tim Smith.

The topic of the finals was: "This house believes that preserving the natural resources for future generations is more important than using them for the present.'' Christie Hunter, Ruth O'Kelly-Lynch, and Tara Kessaram of BHS -- speaking as the proposers -- beat Ian Ostroff-Striffler, Eli Lipschutz, and Miss Robinson of Saltus for the Senior prize.

Warwick Academy One defeated Spice Valley One for the Middle School trophy and honours in another hotly-contested debate on the use of natural resources.

Spice Valley's Zahra Muhammad walked away with the trophy for top individual debater among middle school students.

Coaches were also awarded for the first time for their hard work with Jackie Riordan of BHS senior team and Brian Hassen of Warwick Academy middle school team topping their respective categories.

BJSL president Karen Stout heaped special praise on Elizabeth Virgo who volunteered countless hours with the debate society since its inception in 1989.

Ms Virgo, who will be leaving the Island soon, told debaters: "I hope you will see as I see, what a wonderful achievement this is for young people. I wish you all a safe voyage into the future with debate.'' She added: "It has grown every year. Early on it was a struggle to get a team from some schools. Now we are getting two good teams from most.'' The championships will be broadcast on VSB Television this weekend.

Top debater Kalilah Robinson and other members of the National Debate Team will now begin preparing for the World Debate Championships in London in January.