Have race relations in the US improved during the Obama presidency or deteriorated? This vexing question was tackled by some of Sydney’s top high school debaters at the final of the Centre's 2013 Debate the Future of America competition.
The debate was won by Hurlstone Agricultural School, which narrowly beat Pymble Ladies College in a split decision.
Lecturer David Smith, speaking for fellow adjudicators Malcolm Jorgenson and Aaron Nyerges, commended both sides on their high level of preparation, well structured speeches, and for presenting the strongest arguments he had seen in the competition to date.
The final was the culmination of three hard-fought elimination rounds, in which ten teams from across Sydney debated whether the US should adopt Australian-style gun laws and whether the US needs an austerity program.
The winners from Hurlstone were awarded three 16GB iPads for their schools while Phoebe Lind from Pymble and Alicia Lam from Hurlstone received special commendations on their performances. Congratulations to everyone who participated in the competition.