A local student took home top honours in Quebec City earlier this month as the best student debater in Canada.

Mollie Wheeler, grade 11 student at Morden Collegiate, received the Founder's Cup for top debater at this year's National Student Debate Seminar in Quebec City. Wheeler also earned the Chief Justice Award for the Top Bilingual Debater.

Her success has also led to Morden Collegiate taking over hosting duties for the National Student Debate Seminar in September 2019.

"I think it's brought a level of awareness to our debate club even just in our school, some students didn't know about it," she says. "It's brought our debate club into the light. I think it's really exciting for our school to not only have the club but the recognition."

Wheeler debating in Quebec City

Wheeler says while the conference was her first major foray into debating, now she's hooked. "It definitely develops your public speaking, it gives you confidence, you're developing critical thinking... it just works on lots of skill that will be useful in the future."

And in the age of social media flame wars, Wheeler says debate club is a reminder to make sure what you're saying is true, "that you have good facts and you have information to back up what you're saying."

Debating also requires participants to be ready to defend either point of view on an issue, Wheeler explains, which forces a person to consider another person's beliefs and opinions.

Morden Collegiate Institute teacher and debate coach Michael Macaraeg says seeing Wheeler's success and the confidence it builds in youth showcases the importance of the club. "It shows us we're doing something right."

Wheeler during a tour at the University of Laval during one of the cultural excursions at the Seminar

Since starting three years ago, the club has grown from four individuals to 20. Macaraeg notes they've also invited students and teachers from around the region to get involved. "Once you learn about debate you want to share that skill with as many as you can."

The National Student Debate Seminar will see over 100 students and coaches from across Canada will travel to Morden next fall.

"It's super exciting to have something like this in a small rural community," Wheeler says.

The Manitoba Delegation with the founder of the National Student Debate Seminar, Tom Lawson, who at 91 is still passionate about students learning the art of debate