A Grade 9 Portage Collegiate Institute student excelled at a recent Manitoba Speaking and Debate Association (MSDA) event.

Arishya Aggarwal, 14, finished first-place in the impromptu debate, team debate and individual performance open competitions at the Junior Debate Tournament Jan. 17 at Acadia Jr. High School in Winnipeg.

Aggarwal was PCI's lone speaker at the event, which pitted students against each other from various schools such as St. John's-Ravenscourt, Balmoral Hall and Gray's Academy. Competitors were assessed based on presentation, delivery, content and structure.

“I find it's good to know public speaking and being able to debate because I feel like it's a good skill to have in the future,” Aggarwal says.

The 14-year-old PCI student isn't new to finding success in debate competitions in Manitoba and across Canada. In 2016, Aggarwal won the persuasive speaking event at the Air Cadet League of Canada's Effective Speaking competition in Vancouver, attended a national event through MSDA and went to a public speaking seminar in Halifax, N.S. 

Aggarwal is excelling in a skill that many struggle with, public speaking. Her advice to those who find it difficult: Be passionate.

“When you truly know what you're talking about you're not going to feel scared up there,” she says. “Know what you're talking about and be passionate about it.”