SSHL hosts try-outs for debating national team

The weekend of 11-12 February the try-outs to pick the Swedish team for the World Schools’ Debating Championship were held at SSHL. In total 21 students participated, and these were from six schools from Stockholm, Gothenburg and Lund. Presided over by coaches Paida Mangondo, John diCarlo, Micheline Grönlund, Daniel Gustafsson and Björn Nordgren, the try-outs saw a team of five people chosen to represent Sweden in Bali in the summer.

Representing SSHL at the trials were Alessandro De Renzis and Awad Ahmed, both of whom showed a great deal of skill and gained a great deal of experience. Alessandro was even picked as reserve for the team which means he will attend practices with them and stands ready to step in should he be needed.

SSHL also hosted the Swedish Schools’ Debating Championship (SSDC) in November last year, where 20 teams took part. The winners were Viktor Rydberg, whose winning team has two members in the national team.

SSHL’s debating society is very proud both to have hosted the trials and to have been represented. The society is growing and always welcomes new members. Should you be interested in joining please e-mail bjorn.nordgren@sshl.se or turn up to practices which take place on Tuesdays at 16.00 in Gradängsalen.

Well done to the debaters that took part!

Björn Nordgren and Daniel Gustafsson

Sweden’s national team in debating, from left: Johan Allen from Kungsholmens gymnasium, Celina Shui from Hvitfeldska gymnasium, Kristine Wilson from Viktor Rydberg’s gymnasium, Noa Vikman from Kungsholmen and Oscar Engelbrektson from Viktor Rydberg. Picked as reserve and in the middle is SSHL’s very own Alessandro De Renzis.