Fredrick Li
By: Evelyn Tu
Author’s Note:
Having debated since grade 9, I hold immense respect for my fellow debaters. As co-captain for the CW Debate Team, an instructor for a non-profit debate academy, and a competitive debater, I’ve seen both the production and the BTS. Public speaking itself is a fickle skill to master. But structured within a system of analytical warfare with knowledge as your arsenal of weapons, debate challenges its players through all facets. When scrolling through Instagram, I was shocked to come across a peer’s post about competing in the Yale NSDA tournament — a highly competitive, international tournament. As he is not a member of the school team, I was sorely unaware of his debating prowess. Thus, it is with great pleasure that I spotlight Collingwood’s very own, Fredrick Li.
Fredrick, grade 11, is a Vancouverite who has attended Collingwood since grade 3. Being a Chinese-Canadian, he frequently visits Beijing, the city where he spent his childhood years. At school, he thrives in his Photo & Design course. Interested in graphic design, he found his niche in designing logos, magazine covers, layouts, and websites. Li is also a talented wrestler, having been a member of the Collingwood Wrestling Team since grade 9. His interest in wrestling may have stemmed from his love for muay thai kickboxing, an activity he’s indulged in since age 9.
It is incredibly clear that Fredrick is passionate about debating. While being lighthearted in his brief interview, he provided insightful and thoughtful responses in reflection of his experiences. Though he acknowledged that university applications are obviously a factor in why he started debating, Fredrick also explained that he has always enjoyed the rush of adrenaline that comes with arguing. His transition to the Vancouver Debate Academy this past year was incredibly memorable for Fredrick and facilitated his immense growth. There, he found his mentor and connected with his peers, some of his teammates being his closest friends. When asked why he specifically engages in Public Forum Debate (PF) — as opposed to other popular styles like Canadian National Debate Format, World Schools, or British Parliament — he gave a twofold answer: PF uniquely gives Fredrick the freedom to formulate round-winning but “irrational and weird” arguments and also offers more college invitationals throughout the season. His favourite motion topics involve conflict and international relations.
Throughout his journey, Li has garnered a slew of accolades. Some of his highlights include finishing 11th place speaker and 11th place team at SFU Worlds 2022, 17th place speaker and champion team at the University of Kentucky 2022/NSDA Season Opener, 7th place speaker at Georgetown 2021, and semifinalist team at the Meadowridge Invite Spring 2022. But Li has also learned that “regardless of [a] win or loss, it’s the pursuit that matters”. The wins or losses don’t shape Fredrick as a debater. Rather, it’s the sense of camaraderie built between his teammates, the friends he makes along the journey, and the knowledge he gains that truly influences him as an individual. From being a shy kid who only competed in tournaments for the sake of participating in a tournament to revelling in its competitive atmosphere, Li credits debate as the reason he found his voice, confidence, his friendships, and his competitive spirit.
Reflecting on his own growth, Fredrick would definitely recommend debate to everyone. To those just starting out and intimidated by the nature of debate, he imparts his words of wisdom: “Winning and losing is natural. 50% of debate is luck depending on the judges you get, so don't be discouraged if you don't perform to your expectations during tournaments.” He would also encourage them to watch other competitive debaters, stating that he has gleaned knowledge and skill from every debater he has observed, inspiring him to be a better debater.
Looking forward, Fredrick plans to major in graphic design. Although Fredrick is unsure about pursuing a career involving debate, he does plan to be a fixture in the close-knit NSDA community as a judge or an assistant coach. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that debate has had a lasting impact on his ability to articulate and present his thoughts, a definite asset in the future. Because of debate, Fredrick has become increasingly socially conscious of current events and issues that plague society.
We are all incredibly excited to see what new heights Fredrick Li will reach in the future.
By: Evelyn Tu
Author’s Note:
Having debated since grade 9, I hold immense respect for my fellow debaters. As co-captain for the CW Debate Team, an instructor for a non-profit debate academy, and a competitive debater, I’ve seen both the production and the BTS. Public speaking itself is a fickle skill to master. But structured within a system of analytical warfare with knowledge as your arsenal of weapons, debate challenges its players through all facets. When scrolling through Instagram, I was shocked to come across a peer’s post about competing in the Yale NSDA tournament — a highly competitive, international tournament. As he is not a member of the school team, I was sorely unaware of his debating prowess. Thus, it is with great pleasure that I spotlight Collingwood’s very own, Fredrick Li.
Fredrick, grade 11, is a Vancouverite who has attended Collingwood since grade 3. Being a Chinese-Canadian, he frequently visits Beijing, the city where he spent his childhood years. At school, he thrives in his Photo & Design course. Interested in graphic design, he found his niche in designing logos, magazine covers, layouts, and websites. Li is also a talented wrestler, having been a member of the Collingwood Wrestling Team since grade 9. His interest in wrestling may have stemmed from his love for muay thai kickboxing, an activity he’s indulged in since age 9.
It is incredibly clear that Fredrick is passionate about debating. While being lighthearted in his brief interview, he provided insightful and thoughtful responses in reflection of his experiences. Though he acknowledged that university applications are obviously a factor in why he started debating, Fredrick also explained that he has always enjoyed the rush of adrenaline that comes with arguing. His transition to the Vancouver Debate Academy this past year was incredibly memorable for Fredrick and facilitated his immense growth. There, he found his mentor and connected with his peers, some of his teammates being his closest friends. When asked why he specifically engages in Public Forum Debate (PF) — as opposed to other popular styles like Canadian National Debate Format, World Schools, or British Parliament — he gave a twofold answer: PF uniquely gives Fredrick the freedom to formulate round-winning but “irrational and weird” arguments and also offers more college invitationals throughout the season. His favourite motion topics involve conflict and international relations.
Throughout his journey, Li has garnered a slew of accolades. Some of his highlights include finishing 11th place speaker and 11th place team at SFU Worlds 2022, 17th place speaker and champion team at the University of Kentucky 2022/NSDA Season Opener, 7th place speaker at Georgetown 2021, and semifinalist team at the Meadowridge Invite Spring 2022. But Li has also learned that “regardless of [a] win or loss, it’s the pursuit that matters”. The wins or losses don’t shape Fredrick as a debater. Rather, it’s the sense of camaraderie built between his teammates, the friends he makes along the journey, and the knowledge he gains that truly influences him as an individual. From being a shy kid who only competed in tournaments for the sake of participating in a tournament to revelling in its competitive atmosphere, Li credits debate as the reason he found his voice, confidence, his friendships, and his competitive spirit.
Reflecting on his own growth, Fredrick would definitely recommend debate to everyone. To those just starting out and intimidated by the nature of debate, he imparts his words of wisdom: “Winning and losing is natural. 50% of debate is luck depending on the judges you get, so don't be discouraged if you don't perform to your expectations during tournaments.” He would also encourage them to watch other competitive debaters, stating that he has gleaned knowledge and skill from every debater he has observed, inspiring him to be a better debater.
Looking forward, Fredrick plans to major in graphic design. Although Fredrick is unsure about pursuing a career involving debate, he does plan to be a fixture in the close-knit NSDA community as a judge or an assistant coach. Nonetheless, it is undeniable that debate has had a lasting impact on his ability to articulate and present his thoughts, a definite asset in the future. Because of debate, Fredrick has become increasingly socially conscious of current events and issues that plague society.
We are all incredibly excited to see what new heights Fredrick Li will reach in the future.