A Recap of the Intense Two-Day Academic Showdown
From November 24 to 25, 2023, the bustling halls of Singapore School Manila played host to the World Scholar's Cup Manila Round, a thrilling academic event that brought together the brightest minds from various schools. With the year's theme as "Reconstructing the Past," Southville’s own Monarchs engaged in four challenging competitions, each designed to test their intellectual prowess and creativity.
Day One: A Battle of Minds
The opening day commenced with an early start at 8 am, as students geared up for the Team Debate, Collaborative Writing, and Scholar's Challenge activities. The Alpaca-in-Chief, Daniel Berdichevsky, set the tone with an inspiring Opening Remarks. Southville, represented by eight teams, took on formidable opponents, including national debate and International Baccalaureate teams.
In the Team Debate, Monarchs faced off against opponents on motions spanning various subjects, showcasing their ability to argue convincingly on diverse topics. An impressive five out of eight teams won 100% of their matches, securing well-deserved Debate awards.
The competition heated up with the Creative Writing challenge, where teams crafted responses to prompts covering subjects from music to history. Following this, Southville students engaged in individual quizzes, pushing the boundaries of their academic knowledge across World Scholar's Cup themes.
As the day concluded at 7 pm, the schools departed, leaving a trail of verbal showdowns and anticipation for the next day.
Day Two: Culmination and Celebration
Day two dawned with the continuation of the challenges, culminating in the highly anticipated Scholar's Bowl. The fast-paced competition tested not only the correctness of answers but also the ability to race against the clock. The stakes were high, and the clock was unforgiving.
After a well-deserved lunch break, the students returned for the Debate Showcase, a 4 vs 4 debate featuring representatives from each major school. Southville's 10th-grade standout, Martha Pinca, led the charge, securing victory after an hour of intense verbal battles.
Following the debate showcase, the stage transformed into the Scholar's Show, where students showcased a myriad of talents from contemporary dancing to impressive yoyo skills. The talented singer, Grade 9’s Gabrielle Hermosilla, captivated the audience with her melodic voice.
As the clock ticked, the room buzzed with excitement for the awarding ceremony. A table adorned with over a thousand medals and trophies became the focal point of the venue. Alpaca-in-Chief Berdichevsky expressed gratitude and pride in what the students had achieved.
Triumph and Recognition
Southville emerged as a dominative force, securing an impressive haul of 84 medals. Additionally, eight Southville teams earned the right to compete in the Global Round scheduled for June 24 to 30, 2024 in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The event's success was not just about academic excellence but also a celebration of unique talents and skills.
As the echoes of "Havana" and "The World's Smallest Violin" that flooded the Closing Ceremony faded away, the participants left with a sense of accomplishment, having navigated the intellectual challenges and showcased their multifaceted abilities. The World Scholar's Cup Manila Round had not just been an academic competition but a celebration of knowledge, talent, and the spirit of competition.