Debating ALUMNI SUCCESS
How has the debate program influenced student members? Graduates of the Sydney Academy Debating Society agree that the program has a long-lasting impact long after high school. Read more about their stories and achievements below.
Mona Gupta, class of 1987
I attended Sydney Academy from 1984-87 and went on to study biology and then medicine at McGill University. After my postgraduate training in psychiatry at the University of Toronto, I completed a PhD in bioethics. Following a number of years on faculty first at McMaster University and then the University of Toronto, I moved with my husband and three children to Montreal. I am now Associate Professor of Psychiatry at the University of Montreal. My debating career culminated in 1991 when my debating partner, Chris Wayland, and I won the World University Debating Championships on behalf of McGill University.
I still remember my very first debate at Sydney Academy, and the courage required to overcome my terror. Over time, the cadence of persuasive rhetoric, and the rhythm of a good argument, offered irresistible appeal. I also reconciled myself to a growing awareness that there were some arguments, no matter how well constructed, that would never change hearts and minds. Nevertheless, open and honest debate is an essential component of well-functioning communities and organizations. I am reminded of that everyday in my work as a healthcare professional and as a researcher. I am forever grateful to the Sydney Academy debating club for the opportunity to hone this most elegant of intellectual crafts.
Rory Gillis, class of 2002
Rory attended Sydney Academy from 1999-2002. Rory and Sarah Pottle won the National Debating Championships together in 1999, where Rory was also top speaker. Rory was also a member of the Canadian national debating team at the 2001 and 2002 World Schools Debating Championships in South Africa and Singapore, and at the 2000 World Public Speaking Championships in Cyprus.
After graduating from Sydney Academy, Rory obtained a BA and JD from Yale University. While at Yale, Rory tied for top speaker at the 2006 World Universities Debating Championships and was the top speaker at the 2005 and 2006 North American Debating Championships. He was also President of the Yale Debate Association. Following law school, Rory served as a law clerk to Justice Morris Fish at the Supreme Court of Canada and practiced civil litigation in Toronto. Rory is currently pursuing a doctorate in law at the University of Toronto.
Liam Gillis, class of 2007
Liam attended Sydney Academy from 2004 until 2007. In addition to being the Captain of the Debate Club, he also was Captain of the varsity soccer and varsity basketball teams. He was a member of the Provincial Championship winning teams in 2005 and in 2006, a North American High School Debating Championship Semi-Finalist in 2006, and qualified and attended the 2007 Canadian National High School Debating Team Tryouts.
Upon graduating from Sydney Academy, Liam attended Saint Francis Xavier University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Arts with an Honors in Economic in 2011 and was awarded the Dr. D.J. MacDonald and Dr. A.B. MacDonald Memorial Prize for Economics. He then attended the Schulich School of Law at Dalhousie University on a renewable $16,000 Law Foundation of Nova Scotia Scholarship. He graduated from the Schulich School of Law in 2014 and was called to the bar in June of 2015. He is currently employed as a lawyer with Sampson McPhee Lawyers in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
Pēteris Lazovskis, class of 2008
With the constant challenging of one’s opinions, reasoning and persona, debating prepared Pēteris to deal with such future worldly challenges.
After graduating from Sydney Academy, Pēteris received a Bachelors degree in Architecture from Carleton University, and has subsequently been working as an intern architect in Toronto. He soon realized that his passion was to practice independently, and so for the past year he has led several freelance projects. Currently he is pursuing a masters degree in Architecture at Harvard University.
Dylan Drover, class of 2008
Debating served an important role in Dylan’s formative years. Through the rigors of debate he was familiarized with the structure of proper arguments and the importance of a sound line of reasoning. Participating in SA's debate club also aided in developing an ability to look at an issue from both sides and to think critically about ideas, even his own.
Receiving his IB diploma and graduating from Sydney Academy, Dylan would go on to attend the University of Waterloo where he would earn a Bachelor’s degree in Mechatronics Engineering. He continued his studies at the University of Waterloo in the Systems Design Engineering for his Masters of Applied Science and plans to continue performing research in the field of machine intelligence.
Jānis Lazovskis, class of 2009
Jānis debated all through high school, acquiring and perfecting the discipline and concentration required of all SA debaters. Completing the International Baccalaureate program and being taught by a host of intelligent and motivating teachers gave John a high school education like no other. The most vivid memory of debating will remain a constant striving to be better, no matter how many defeats and failures were experienced.
After high school, Jānis earned degrees in Pure Mathematics at the University of Waterloo, and is currently studying for a doctorate in Pure Mathematics at the University of Illinois at Chicago. Debating laid the foundations of focusing solely on the content and logical steps of arguments, a key tool Jānis uses in his research every day. The loud auditoriums have been replaced by quiet offices, but the total devotion to resolving complicated issues still holds strong.
Maureen MacIsaac, class of 2009
Maureen debated at the Academy from 2006 to 2009. She competed in provincial and national tournaments from Halifax to Vancouver, including two National Championships in 2008 and 2009. She was a member of the 2008/9 Canadian National High School Debate Team.
While studying at the University of St Andrews on a full undergraduate scholarship, Maureen continued to debate and managed the university’s debating outreach program for local schools. One of her fondest memories of St Andrews was hosting four Academy debaters at the St Andrews High School Debate Tournament. In 2011 she was a debate judge at the World University Debate Championships in Gaborone, Botswana. After graduating with first class distinction in Economics and Mathematics, Maureen completed a master's degree at the University of Cambridge. She is currently working in Canada as an economist.
Bennett McNutt, class of 2011
During my time debating with Sydney Academy, I was fortunate enough to travel and compete both in Canada and abroad. Our team debated from Los Angeles to St. Andrews and got to learn from the diverse teams we met all along the way. We competed nationally in Canada and won the Nova Scotia Provincial Championships in my final year. At home, in Sydney, I helped to found both the Writer’s Society and a public forum for issues facing youth in Cape Breton.
From Sydney Academy I received my high school diploma with highest honours as well as my International Baccalaureate diploma. Since then I have gone on to receive my BA in History with honours from Cape Breton University and am currently studying as a part of my Master’s in History at McGill University.
Since debating with Sydney Academy, I have also been successful in a variety of positions. I have worked at Parks Canada as a researcher, with the Beaton Institute as an archival assistant, and at the Cape Breton University Students’ Union as a coordinator.
Neil MacIsaac, class of 2012
At the urging of his older sister, Neil began debating for Sydney Academy in September 2009 and continued to compete until his graduation in 2012. In 2011 he was part of SA's championship teams at Provincials and the Moses Coady tournament, and in January 2012 he competed for Team Canada at the World Schools Debate Championship in Cape Town, South Africa.
In addition to debate, he also served on the SA Student Council as Secretary/Treasurer and competed in Reach For The Top and Math Club. He went on to study History at the University of Toronto, graduating in 2016. In 2014, he received the Canadian University Press’ award for Best Humour Writing.
Natasha Kochkar, class of 2014
Natasha was a member of the Sydney Academy Debate Club from 2011-2014. Although she did not participate in many competitions, Natasha was a committed member of the club and organized a number of local tournaments during her time at SA. In addition to being in the Debate Club, Natasha was the Vice President Communications of the Students Assembly and very active contributor of service to the overall Sydney Academy community.
Currently, Natasha is attending Mount Allison University in Sackville, New Brunswick perusing an Honours in International Relations and double minor in Political Science and Religious Studies. Natasha has been accepted into the competitive study abroad through Mount Allison and will be studying in Strasbourg, France in the upcoming fall. Natasha is a firm believer that being a member of the debate team allowed her to thrive at a liberal arts university where critical thinking is key to success. Being in the debate club opened many doors for Natasha at the post-secondary level and will continue to do so for many years to come.
Grace McNutt, class of 2014
It might seem cliche, to cling to a high school club, but I speak honestly when I say the Sydney Academy Debate Club, not only defined my high school experience, but set me up for a kind of success I could not have imagined at the time. The opportunity to make close friends and travel across Canada are memories I will cherish for many years to come. The skills I learned in debating, like persuasive speaking, confidence, argument structure, and teamwork, immensely improved my grades, which allowed me to achieve the highest academic scholarship at Cape Breton University.
Debating helped prepare me for the university environment and last year I achieved Honours with Distinction status in my first year as a BA student in History. My performance as a Parks Canada Tour Guide at the Fortress of Louisbourg during the summer is built on the foundation of skills I attained while a Sydney Academy Debater. Debating has not only improved my abilities as a student and employee, but have resulted in financial and academic security.
Ainslie Pierrynowski, class of 2015
I graduated from Sydney Academy in 2015 with an IB Bilingual Diploma. During my time at Sydney Academy, I was the Student Assembly’s Vice-President of Communications and served as Bulletin Editor and Vice-President of the Key Club, a student-led service organization. I also competed in public speaking events in English and in French and volunteered with a wide variety of community organizations. With the Sydney Academy debating team, I debated at the regional, provincial, and national level.
Debating gave me the opportunity to challenge myself. I had the chance to travel to debating tournaments from Halifax to Vancouver. There, I was able to meet and debate other high school students from across Canada. Currently, I am pursuing an Honours degree in Political Science at the University of Ottawa, while working as a House of Commons Page. The confidence, knowledge, and abilities which I gained from debating have helped me to make the most of my first year of university.
