Emily, Alex and Kirstin Set to Tackle the World Scholars in Shanghai!
From debating whether we should "live life like the world is going to end" to tackling complex questions across literature, science, history, art and music, three Rivermount College students have proven they are among the brightest young minds in the country.
Following an outstanding performance at the Brisbane Regional Round of the World Scholar's Cup, Year 12 students Emily Gaskain, Alex Petterwood and Kirstin Van Tonder have qualified for the prestigious Global Round, where they will represent Rivermount College in Shanghai, China, from 4 to 10 August.
The World Scholar's Cup is an international academic competition involving more than 50,000 students from over 67 countries. Competitors are challenged across four demanding events that test critical thinking, creativity, teamwork and communication through debating, collaborative writing, academic challenges and the fast-paced Scholar's Bowl.
Competing against some of Queensland's leading schools, including Churchie, Somerville House and Sheldon College, the Rivermount team delivered exceptional results, finishing second overall in the Senior Division, second in the Scholar's Challenge, second in the Scholar's Bowl, and fourth in Debating.
The students also excelled individually. Alex claimed first place Individual Scholar, won the Jac Khor Award for the Scholar's Challenge and achieved first place across multiple subject areas. Emily finished fourth overall Individual Scholar and claimed first place in the Special Area category for writing.
Beyond the trophies and rankings, the experience left a lasting impression on the team.
Alex believes the competition was made even more rewarding because of the friendships and teamwork it fostered.
"Being part of a team made the competition more amazing," he said.
He also credits their success to thorough preparation.
"Preparation is key. And for this competition, it really did pay to have a broad knowledge of the world."
For Emily, the event challenged students to think differently, saying that students were taken out of their comfort zone.
Kirstin described the Scholar's Bowl as "like a HOOT set-up, filled with high-energy, Gen Z-inspired questions that kept competitors on their toes".
The team also proudly represented Rivermount beyond the competition itself, receiving numerous compliments on their presentation and leaving a memorable impression on fellow competitors.
As preparations continue for Shanghai, the excitement is building. While Emily admits her Chinese vocabulary currently extends to knowing how to say, "baby hippo," there's no doubt the team will be far more fluent when it comes to tackling challenging ideas, working together and representing Rivermount College on the global stage.
The students summed up the World Scholar's Cup perfectly;
"It's like athletics for the mind."
We congratulate Emily, Alex and Kirstin on this remarkable achievement and wish them every success as they take on the world's best scholars in Shanghai. We know they will represent Rivermount College with the same excellence, determination and team spirit that earned them their place on the global stage.
