Cam Fraser
DO not get into an argument with Cam Fraser.
The 18yearold debating enthusiast and budding politician has proven he can win over a crowd.
He first stepped up to the podium in year 9 and quickly fell in love with the art of persuasion.
He has made many friends through the sport and found it a good way to challenge his beliefs while engaging with current events.
Before each debate he and his team have 30 minutes to prepare, which forces him to think on his feet and be critical of the topic in an effective manner.
Cam likes to speak third, which allows him the most time and opportunity to break down his opponent’s argument.
It forced him to think on his feet and although it could be stressful, it was always fun, he said.
Although he had strong political views, he almost always preferred to argue against his own beliefs.
Having to fight for ideals he did not believe in helped him expand his perspective and understand why people thought that way.
Although he enjoyed exploring realistic topics, he preferred to indulge the more hypothetical debating topics.
His team came out on top at the Otago Regional Schools debating competition, where they debated whether or not happier people should be taxed more. He had to argue for the happiness tax, a chaotic idea he did not believe was a great one in real life, but it was fun to argue nonetheless.
Debating was also a way for him to engage in politics, an area of great interest to him.
This year he spent time as youth MP for Taieri, working with MP Ingrid Leary to learn the ropes and represent young people politically.
It was a great honour to be able to share the youth perspective and he planned to continue his career in social areas.
He liked studying humanities and the way people reacted to current events.
Achievements: Chess and debating team captain (2022); Otago regional debating winner (2022); King’s chess cup (2021); top scholar (2020, 2021); academic blue (2021, 2022); prefect (2022), youth MP for Taieri (2022); scholarship history, english, statistics (2021); NCEA Level 1, 2, 3 excellence (2020, 2021). Role model: Jacinda Ardern, as she embodied what it meant to be a strong leader who remained kind and compassionate. Hopes for the future: To study law/politics at the University of Otago.