A Coleg Menai A-Level student who hopes to study law at university will represent Wales on the world stage in a global debating competition this summer.
18-year old Sophia Wallo from Conwy was part of a winning team in the regional round of the Wales School Debating Championships, held at Bangor’s Ysgol Tryfan last December. Her impressive performance there saw her join the competitive squad trials in Cardiff, where her skills secured her a place on the Development Squad for Team Wales.
However, the story does not end there, and confirmation has just been received that Sophia will be travelling to Sri Lanka in July to represent Wales at the World Schools Debating Championships.
Coleg Menai A-Level lecturer Steven Blight said: “This is an outstanding achievement! Sophia is a natural debater and she is the best that I have seen in my time in college. Gaining a place in the development squad was amazing in itself, and showed how motivated and driven Sophia is, but to be chosen to represent Wales in Sri Lanka – well, that is remarkable! We are obviously extremely proud of her at Coleg Menai, and will be cheering her on this summer!”
Jo Gough, Debating Programmes Officer from English-Speak Union (ESU) said, “We have high expectations of Team Wales and we believe that Sophia will play a key role in the team. Her success in making the team is testament to the outstanding educational environment your college must create.”
The World Schools Debating Championship (WSDC) is a global competition for national high school debate teams. Squads from over 50 countries around the world gather to debate 13 different topics set by an international panel of experts.
Training for the Championships will take place over weekends and school holidays and the Team Wales coach will liaise closely with the team to ensure that this will not interfere with their exams or university applications.
Coleg Menai A-Level Programme Area Manager Karen Griffith said, “Debating is a skill that is highly regarded by universities, and we have therefore encouraged this by setting up a debate club for Coleg Menai A-Level learners. We are thrilled that Sophia has been selected for the Welsh team and wish her every success in Sri Lanka.”
Sophia and fellow debating enthusiast and A-Level student Gethin Jones from Dinorwic (pictured) are now planning to promote debating in local schools, starting with an event for the Gwynedd and Anglesey Seren Network at the college to be held in April.
For more information about A-Level courses at Coleg Menai, visit www.gllm.ac.uk/a-levels.
