July 12, 2011 - The Pohnpei State/Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School (OLMCHS) Debate Team won the 2011 FSM National Debate Competition in Yap. The Debate Competition was part of the FSM Law Day Activity. President Manny Mori signed a Presidential Proclamation last May 17, 2011 proclaiming July 12, 2011 as FSM Law Day.
The said Debate Competition was held at the Yap State Legislative Chamber. This year's debate proposition was: "Be it resolved that the Federated States of Micronesia Constitution should be amended to allow a State to secede from the Federated States of Micronesia." Each State was represented in the said Debate, debating twice: one affirmative, and one negative. Team Chuuk was represented by Xavier High School; Team Pohnpei by Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School; Team Kosrae by Kosrae High School; and Team Yap by Yap High School.
Our Lady of Mercy Catholic High School gained the right to represent the Pohnpei State by winning the Pohnpei State Debate Contest last April 28, 2011 outclassing all the public and private high schools in Pohnpei. In the National Debate, the Pohnpei Debate Team had a total of 372 points as compared to Yap's 336 points, Chuuk's 306 points, and Kosrae's 293 points. The Debaters were judged according to Delivery, Argument, and Evidence.
The Pohnpei State -OLMCHS Debate Team is composed of Debaters: Carol Ann Carl & Bernis Pernes, both sophomore students, and Alternates: Shellany Saimon and John Andon, both freshmen students. Mr. Russell Figueras is their coach. It is the fi rst time that OLMCHS joined both the Pohnpei State Debate and the FSM National Debate Competitions.