Karamu High School head boy eyes political future after debating experience
It was a “surreal experience” for Karamu High School’s Keelan Heesterman to be standing in Parliament’s hallowed chambers, but it reinforced his interest in a future in politics.
The year-13 head boy of Karamu was a member of the Hawke’s Bay regional team that placed second in the recent NZIER Secondary Schools Debating Championships held at Parliament in Wellington.
Keelan says the experience meant a lot to him.
“Firstly, it was a hugely exciting opportunity to get to debate in Parliament's Legislative Council Chamber, but also for the fact that Hawkes Bay's Debate team has never made it to the semi-finals, let alone the finals. So, it was a special experience on a number of counts.”
“The highlight had to be the experience and feeling of standing at the lectern and looking out to the crowd of MPs, CEOs, lawyers and students in the chamber and the viewing gallery on the second level. It was surreal to be up there in such a beautiful building speaking to such a crowd.”
But the road to Parliament’s debating chamber was not easy for Keelan and his regional teammates. He first had to get into the Hawke’s Bay regional team and he did just that at the Hawke’s Bay Regional
Debate Champs in March this year. The local team consisted of Keelan; Ned Brougham of Lindisfarne College and Havelock North High School’s Emilie Horsfall.
Despite intense competition from the best school debaters in the country, the Hawke’s Bay team finished the opening rounds of the National championships in the first position to book a spot in the semi-finals for the first time ever.
The team saw off a strong Waikato team to make it to the final, where they came up against Wellington Black. The moot for the final was fittingly of a political nature – “This house would abandon the 5 per cent MMP threshold in favour of no threshold (1/120 of the vote required to enter parliament)”.
Unfortunately, the team from Wellington was too strong and Keelan and his teammates had to be happy with a commendable second.
“I think we all performed really well in the final, despite the result. It was a high-quality debate from both teams and a privilege to get to do so.”
Keelan credits the annual Radio Kidnappers Schools Debate Competition for kickstarting his passion, and Karamu High School for honing his skills. He is also grateful for the Hawke’s Bay coaches who guided the team.
“I would like to add a huge thank you to our three dedicated debate coaches - Sam O'Grady, Brooke Kinajil-Moran and Frankie Gross. Without them, we would never have been as successful as we were.”
Keelan says he enjoys debating because it forces one to interrogate ideas from a logical standpoint and amalgamates that with public speaking.
“I'm a bit of a political nut and love having discussions about topical issues and so debating is perfect for me. The intellectual rigour involved is a natural high for me as well.”
“Next year I would like to study Law and either media studies, psychology or political science - or if possible, a combination of each. I hope this will take me into a career in law and policy, and then eventually into the political scene at some point later in life.”
Karamu High School Principal Dionne Thomas says the school is very proud of Keelan.
“Not only is he a fine young leader, but he has also shown that you can achieve success
through hard work.”
“I have no doubt that the future is very bright for Keelan.”
PHOTO: Karamu High School Head Boy Keelan Heesterman pictured at this NZIER Secondary Schools Debating Championships held at Parliament in Wellington. Photo/Lynnette Jones.
