03/02/2026
CONGRATULATIONS, SELENA AND SHANNON!!
💫 first international novice championship of BCHS Debate Society.
💫 Succeeded by the first international open break from Empire IV.
💫 Second time teaming up—and already legends.
At the Kampala Debate Open 2026 – Jo’Burg Edition, Selena Denise Cunanan (Grade 12 HUMSS 1) and Azis Shannon Matnao (Grade 12 HUMSS 3) didn’t just compete, they made BCHS Debate Society history. Out of 187 teams from across the globe, this powerhouse duo rose through the ranks to become Novice Champions, securing the first-ever open international championship for BCHS. And in the process, they proved that second-time partnerships sometimes make the best sequels.
For Selena, this win was much more than a trophy. Having faced heartbreaks in novice grandfinals before her “multo,” as she jokingly calls it, she finally got the chance to rewrite her story. Kampala’s rules, which treated any first-year debater as a novice, gave her the perfect stage for a redemption arc. This time, she didn’t just compete, she dominated. Selena finished as 3rd Best Novice International Speaker out of 169 novices and Best International School Speaker out of 107 school competitors. She came, she saw, she exorcised her multo, and the trophies followed. 🎯
Meanwhile, Shannon drew from her experience as a high school grandfinalist to bring strategy, precision, and flair to the novice stage. Her performance earned her 4th Best Novice International Speaker, proving that experience plus daring equals unstoppable. Shannon didn’t just raise the bar, she set it, proving that championship-level debate is equal parts skill and sparkle.
Congratulations to our trailblazing duo, who have turned school spirit, sweat, and strategy into trophies, titles, and unforgettable moments. BCHS Debate Society has officially arrived on the international stage, and it looks absolutely fabulous. 🌟🎉
✨ Here’s to more history, more firsts, and more sparkle. The world better watch out as you discuss, debate, and dominate!✨