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Highlands School

Highlands School

Chemistry Student Represents UK

Highlands' Chemistry student represents the UK at the European Youth Debating Competition. 

After winning the British Finals of the European Youth Debating Competition I was invited from the 7th–10th October to attend the European Finals in Vienna. Here I was able to participate in a fantastic competition on the theme of “ living, learning, working & moving in smart cities of the future – with or without petrochemicals”. 

It was a heated debate with brilliant arguments & speakers on both sides, inspiring me to try my best and attempt to argue some intuitive points (writing this I still await the results, which will be revealed at the closing ceremony). 

I have met some  fantastic people from nine different countries and, through working so closely together, we have become  very tightly knit and I hope to keep in contact with them in the future. I have also been fortunate enough to participate in The European Petrochemical Association’s annual gathering. I listened to lectures from Nobel Prize winning scientists and gained a fantastic insight into the world of petrochemistry. 

However, the highlight of my trip would have to be attending EPCA’s annual ball in Vienna City Hall. I was able to network with millionaires and top people in the petrochemical industry including Marc Schuller, Head of EPCA. I have been given lots of business cards, which is very exciting, and hope to keep in contact with these industry people . Apart from that the City of  Vienna is phenomenal, from art to food to music, and I’m so grateful for this amazing experience, it is one I will carry with me for the rest of my life.

Henry Galano, Year 13 Chemistry Student