By Maria Marenga

SADS recently made a remarkable impact at the 2nd edition of the Athena Debate Festival, held from July 26-28, at Kenyatta University School of Law. This event brought together debaters from various institutions, and SADS showcased its prowess by securing top honors in multiple categories.

A total of 21 SADS members participated in the festival, showcasing their exceptional skills and teamwork. Two novice teams, Wema Maingi and Sigi Karanja, won the novice category, while Pearl Nganga and Hillary Odede were runners-up as well as the best and 2^nd best speaker in the novice category. In addition, a separate team, Angel Musomba and Joshua Wambugu, won the Open Speaker category while Joshua Wambugu, Angel Mala and Francis Chege won the 2nd and 3rd and 5th best speakers respectively, solidifying the university's reputation in the debate circuit.

The Athena Debate Festival, spanning three days, fostered a culture of debate and public speaking among participants who were challenged to think critically and articulate their arguments effectively, reflecting the university's core values as well as SADS. The festival provided a competitive environment for debating skills enhancement and networking with peers from diverse backgrounds. SADS's participation in the festival demonstrates its commitment to nurturing young debaters and promoting the art of oration.

As SADS reflects on its success at the Athena Debate Festival, the society is eager to build on this momentum. The achievements at this event are a testament to the dedication and hard work of its members, and they inspire the society to continue pursuing excellence in debate and public speaking.

The 2nd edition of the Athena Debate Festival was not just a competition; it was a celebration of the power of speech and the importance of dialogue, particularly around women’s issues. The accomplishments of SADS at this festival mark a significant milestone in our journey, and the society looks forward to more successes in the future.