PHILLIPSBURG, N.J. – Newark Public Schools students delivered an outstanding performance at the New Jersey Speech and Debate Tournament, held earlier this month at Phillipsburg High School. Students earned multiple top finishes and securing several national qualifications for the National Speech and Debate Association Championships scheduled to be held in Richmond, Virginia in June.

Students from Science Park High School, Central High School, Barringer High School, Arts High School, and University High School competed across a range of events, demonstrating excellence in argumentation, public speaking, and performance.

Among the highlights, students from Science Park High School earned national qualifications in Policy Debate, while Central High School students captured first place in Duo Interpretation and secured multiple national bids. Students from across the district also qualified for Nationals in Dramatic Interpretation, Original Oratory, and Program of Oral Interpretation.

“This remarkable achievement reflects the intellectual rigor, confidence, and voice that define Newark Public Schools students,” said Superintendent León. “Our students are competing and excelling at the highest levels. Their success is a testament to their hard work and the dedication of our teachers who cultivate these critical thinking and communication skills every day.”

“We are incredibly proud of these students for representing Newark with distinction,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “Speech and debate empower young people to lead, advocate, and think critically, and these skills that will serve them for a lifetime. These accomplishments show what is possible when talent meets opportunity.”

Tournament Results

Arts High School

Duo Interpretation:

• Jade Vargas & Suriyah Carrasquillo – 4th Place

Barringer High School

Dramatic Interpretation:

• Britney Deer – 3rd Place

Original Oratory:

• Britney Deer – 3rd Place – National Qualifier
• Toumaye Siripe – 7th Place

Program of Oral Interpretation:

• Sheekira King – 4th Place

Central High School

Duo Interpretation:

• Winal Tineo & Isaiah Fleurant – 1st Place – National Qualifiers
• Courtney Mack & Serenity Bradshaw – 2nd Place – National Qualifiers

Dramatic Interpretation:

• Winal Tineo – 1st Place
• Rhya D’Aguilar – 4th Place – National Qualifier
• Isaiah Fleurant – Semifinalist
• Jamal Kirton – National Qualifier

Program of Oral Interpretation:

• Dominique Thompson – 5th Place

Science Park High School

Policy Debate (CX)

• Anne-Blessing Odra & Moyinoluwa Olagadeyo – 2nd Place – National Qualifiers
• Mofoluwa Olagadeyo & Risiqat Adeniji – National Qualifiers
• Smith & Onyebuchi – 3rd Place

University High School

Dramatic Interpretation:

• Dante Elliott – 5th Place – National Qualifier

Program of Oral Interpretation:

• Jazzlee Usher – 2nd Place – National Qualifier
• JosManuel De Leon – 3rd Place – National Qualifier

Humorous Interpretation:

• Luis Franco – 5th Place