The Stoneleigh-Burnham School Debate and Public Speaking Society encourages students to |
Winner of the 2011 Most Valuable Debater Award
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articulate ideas with force and clarity. Members participate in public speaking tournaments, planned cross-examination debates, extemporaneous debates, Lincoln-Douglas debates and parliamentary debates. The Stoneleigh-Burnham School Debate Society is a member of DANEIS (Debate Association of New England Independent Schools).
Founded by Paul Bassett in 1978, the Society has a long history of excellence. The tradition of debate and public speaking reaches back for more than a century in Stoneleigh-Burnham’s history. Nine Stoneleigh-Burnham students have ranked as world competitors in debate and public speaking, and countless others have gone on to careers in law, education, advocacy and government.
In October of 2009, six-year senior Bryna Cofrin-Shaw qualified for the 2010 World Individual Debating and Public Speaking Championships when she took second place among the American teams at the 28th Annual International Independent Schools Public Speaking Competition. Of the 21 American schools, Stoneleigh-Burnham, Deerfield Academy, Hotchkiss, Winsor, Roxbury Latin, and Andover competed for the top four spots that would qualify them for the American Team to compete at the World Championships in Lithuania in Spring 2010. Click here to read the full story on Bryna's accomplishment.
For more information about the Debate and Public Speaking Society at SBS contact the Admissions Office. Stoneleigh-Burnham also offers a summer program for girls interested in debate and public speaking. Learn more about A Voice of Her Own: A Public Speaking and Debate Experience.
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| D&PS Society members with coaches after the annual SBS Public Speaking Tournament. |