University High School

Newark Public Schools Students Excel at New Jersey Speech and Debate Tournament

Multiple students earn national qualifications across categories

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

About Newark Public Schools

The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The District currently enrolls over 41,000 students in 65 schools.  After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the District has opened ten new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming months and years. The Newark Board of Education serves as a beacon of educational excellence, dedicated to nurturing the potential of every student. With a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and fostering a love for learning, the District continues to shape future generations and make a positive impact within the community.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Brubaker, Communications Director
Email: pbrubaker@nullnps.k12.nj.us
Phone: 973-803-6983

Newark Students Earn High Honors at Yale Invitational Speech & Debate Tournament

Students from Barringer, Central, and University High Schools earn bids for the national Tournament of Champions

The University High School team, from left: Jovany Hinds, Belonica Maceno, Coach Saul Grullon, Josmanuel De Leon, Dante Elliott, Jade Peralta, and Luis Franco.
Britney Deer of Barringer High School
Central High School’s Champion Allwell, left, and Jamal Kirton

NEW HAVEN, CONN. – Ten Newark Public Schools students earned high honors at the Yale Debate Association’s 33rd Annual Yale Invitational High School Tournament, taking home awards in five categories.
 
The Yale Invitational, which was held at Yale University from September 19th to 21st, is one of the most competitive early-season tournaments in the nation, drawing hundreds of top high school debaters from across the country.
 
University High School’s Jade Peralta and Barringer High School’s Britney Deer made history as the first students from their respective schools to reach the finals at the Yale tournament. They, along with Central High School’s Jamal Kirton and Champion Allwell, received invitations to compete at the national Tournament of Champions at the University of Kentucky in 2026.
 
University High School also earned the distinction of having the most students advance to the semifinals, with five students placing among the top 12 in their categories.
 
“Our students continue to prove that Newark sits on the national stage in academics and competition,” said Superintendent León. “Their success at Yale is a testament to their talent, their coaches’ dedication, and the strength of our schools.”
 
“We are proud to celebrate these students for representing Newark with excellence,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “Achievements like this remind us of the brilliance and determination within our district.”
 
Top Awards

Central High School

  • Jamal Kirton and Champion Allwell – 2nd place, Duo Interpretation (Coach: Dennis Philbert

Barringer High School

  • Britney Deer – 2nd place, Oratory (Coach: Michael Sowell)

University High School

  • Jade Peralta – 6th place, Dramatic Interpretation (Coach: Saul Grullon)

Semifinalists
Central High School

  • Jamal Kirton – Semifinalist, Dramatic Interpretation

University High School

  • Dante Elliott & Josmanuel De Leon – Semifinalists, Dramatic Interpretation
  • Belonica Maceno & Luis Franco – Semifinalists, Oral Interpretation
  • Jovany Hinds – Semifinalist, Humorous Interpretation

About Newark Public Schools

The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The District currently enrolls over 41,000 students in 65 schools. After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the District has opened eleven new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming months and years. The Newark Board of Education serves as a beacon of educational excellence, dedicated to nurturing the potential of every student. With a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and fostering a love for learning, the District continues to shape future generations and make a positive impact within the community.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Brubaker, Communications Director
Email: pbrubaker@nullnps.k12.nj.us
Phone: 973-803-6983

Newark Public Schools Students Make History at National Speech and Debate Tournament

Newark Public Schools Students Make History at National Speech and Debate Tournament

Central and University High School competitors earn national honors; district recognized among Top 20 schools nationwide

DES MOINES – Newark Public Schools student orators earned national recognition last week at the National Speech and Debate Association (NSDA) National Tournament, capping off a historic year for the district’s speech and debate programs.

For the first time in district history, Central High School seniors Cassidy Harris and Ayomide Adekoya placed in the top ranks of the Dramatic Interpretation national championship—Harris earning fifth place and Adekoya sixth in the country. Dramatic Interpretation is one of the national tournament’s main events.

“In the 100-year history of the NSDA, they were the first from our district to grace the national tournament’s stage for a main event,” said Dennis Philbert, Central High School Speech and Debate Coach. “Not only did they make history, but Central High also received a Team Sweepstakes Award, placing in the Top 20 out of more than 1,600 high schools nationwide.”

University High School’s Malakai Yepes also delivered a standout performance, placing seventh in the national Poetry championship. Poetry is one of the national tournament’s supplemental events. It was the second consecutive year Yepes finished in the national rankings.

Science Park High School’s Risiqat Adeniji and Mofoluwa Olagadeyo, who won the Policy Debate state championship in March, came in seventh place in the same category at the national tournament.

“Our students have once again shown Newark’s excellence to the nation,” said Superintendent León. “To see our scholars rise to the top in a field as demanding as competitive speech and debate at the national level is a demonstration of their brilliance, their coaches’ dedication, and the culture of excellence we are building in our schools. I am proud beyond words of Cassidy, Ayomide, Malakai, Risiqat, Mofoluwa, and every student who competed and made history for Newark.”

“This extraordinary achievement reflects the power of student voice and the strength of our district’s academic programs,” said Hasani K. Council, President of the Newark Board of Education. “Their performances on the national stage spotlight the talent and determination that exist in every Newark school. On behalf of the Board, I congratulate our students, their families, and their coaches for raising the bar and making us all proud.”

Additional top performances included the following:

Central High School – Dennis Philbert, Coach

  • Jamal Kirton – Semifinalist (14th place), Dramatic Interpretation
  • Alexander Ahenkora – ranked in the Top 30, Poetry Reading

Barringer High School – Michael Sowell, Coach

  • Britney Deer – ranked in the Top 24 in the Poetry and Prose categories

University High School – Saul Grullon, Coach

  • Michaela White – Quarterfinalist, Program of Oral Interpretation
  • Malakai Yepes – Octofinalist, Program of Oral Interpretation
  • Dante Elliott & Josmauel Deleon – Octofinalists, Duo Interpretation

Science Park High School Middle Schoolers – Jonathan Alston

  • Amoor Smith & Vitor Guimaraes – Quarterfinalists, Policy Debate
  • Amoor Smith – 6th Place, Speaker
  • Vitor Guimaraes – 7th Place, Speaker

About Newark Public Schools

The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The District currently enrolls over 41,000 students in 64 schools.  After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the District has opened ten new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming months and years. The Newark Board of Education serves as a beacon of educational excellence, dedicated to nurturing the potential of every student. With a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and fostering a love for learning, the District continues to shape future generations and make a positive impact within the community.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Brubaker, Communications Director
Email: pbrubaker@nullnps.k12.nj.us
Phone: 973-803-6983

Three District Students Break District’s Championship Barrier By Winning First Place at the Tournament of Champions

Three District Students Break District’s Championship Barrier By Winning First Place at the Tournament of Champions

Students from Barringer, Central, and University High Schools win at prestigious national tournament

LEXINGTON, KY – For as long as Newark Public Schools students have been involved in speech and debate competitions, a first place win at the University of Kentucky’s Tournament of Champions has eluded the district – until now.

Three outstanding students have earned three national championships at the Tournament of Champions.

Central High School’s Jamal Kirton and Jahnaiya Simpson won national championships in the tournament’s Dramatic Interpretation and Oral Interpretation categories, respectively. Dennis Philbert coaches the Central High School students.

University High School’s Michaela White, coached by Saul Grullon, won the national championship in the Program of Oral Interpretation category.

The tournament is regarded as the nation’s most prestigious and competitive high school speech and debate championship. Competing students must qualify for the event by earning bids through top performances at other elite tournaments held during the school year.

“For high school forensics students, qualifying for the Tournament of Champions is considered a great achievement and we are very proud of the record number of participating students and their performance,” said Superintendent León. “To have three students win championships is truly historic and represents a high-water mark in the district’s speech and debate programs.”

“This is a groundbreaking achievement for our district and the City of Newark,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “It is a powerful testament to our students’ talent, their hard work, and the strength of our academic and extracurricular programs. This is what happens when we invest in our students and believe in their limitless potential.”

Other notable finalists at the Tournament of Champions were the following:

Barringer High School

Britney Deer won second place in the Dramatic Interpretation category. Michel Sowell is the Barringer High School coach.

Central High School

Jamal Kirton won third place in the Oral Interpretation category, Ayomide Adekoya and Cassidy Harris won fourth place in the Duo Interpretation category, and Cassidy Harris and Jahnaiya Simpson were semifinalists in the Dramatic Interpretation category.

University High School

Malakai Yepes won second place in Oral Interpretation and fifth place in the Program of Oral Interpretation category. Dante Elliott and Solim Agbada won third place and fifth place, respectively, in Dramatic Interpretation. Yepes and Michaela White won second place, and Dante Elliott and Josmanuel De Leon won third place in Duo Interpretation. Michael Adeleke was a semifinalist in Oral Interpretation.

About Newark Public Schools

The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The District currently enrolls over 41,000 students in 64 schools.  After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the District has opened ten new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming months and years. The Newark Board of Education serves as a beacon of educational excellence, dedicated to nurturing the potential of every student. With a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and fostering a love for learning, the District continues to shape future generations and make a positive impact within the community.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Brubaker, Communications Director
Email: pbrubaker@nullnps.k12.nj.us
Phone: 973-803-6983

District Speech & Debate Teams Win Five State Championships

District Speech & Debate Teams Win Five State Championships

Students from Arts, Barringer, Central, Science Park, and University high schools are among the tournament’s competitors

FLEMINGTON, N.J. – Newark Public Schools’ student debaters and orators from five District high schools with first-place wins in five categories at the New Jersey Speech and Debate League’s state championships.

Mofoluwa Olagadeyo and Risiqat Adeniji of Science Park High School won the state championship in the tournament’s Policy Debate category. Jonathan Alston coaches the Science Park students.

Barringer High School’s Britney Deer, coached by Michael Sowell, won the state title in the Declamation category.

In a rare sweep, Central High School students won the top four places in Dramatic Interpretation, with Jamal Kirton winning the state championship and Cassidy Harris, Ayomide Adekoya, and Jahnaiya Simpson winning second, third, and fourth place, respectively, in the same category.

Rebekah Edohwokui, coached by Dennis K. Philbert, brought more honors to Central High School as she won the state championship in the Interpretation category.

University High School’s Michaela White, coached by Saul Grullon, won first place in the Program of Oral Interpretation category.

Each state champion received The Governor’s Medal, a proclamation from the governor, and a scholarship.

“All I can say is, ‘Wow!’” said Superintendent León, who was a state champion debater when he was a student at Science High School (now Science Park High School). “Winning five state titles in multiple categories showcases their individual excellence and the strength of our debate and speech programs across Newark Public Schools. I commend the students, their coaches, and their schools for their commitment to excellence and for representing Newark with pride and distinction.”

“Our student debaters and orators have demonstrated remarkable skill, confidence, and perseverance in achieving these state championship victories,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “On behalf of the Newark Board of Education, I congratulate these outstanding students and their exceptional coaches for making our district proud and proving that Newark’s voices are strong, powerful, and championship-worthy.”

Other notable finalists at the tournament were the following:

Arts High School

Kamira Hall won second place in the Oral Interpretation category, and her teammates, Amilah Stuart and Bariah Cox, won fifth and sixth place, respectively, in the Improvisational Acting category. David Richardson coaches the Arts High School students.

Central High School

Jahnaiya Simpson won third place in Oral Interpretation, and Jamal Kirton won sixth place in the Humorous Interpretation category.

Science Park High School

Ashley Lourenco and Anna Odra won second place in the Policy Debate category.

University High School

Malakai Yepes and Michaela White won second place, and Dante Elliott and Josmanuel De Leon won fifth place, in Duo Interpretation. Luis Franco won third place, and Josmanuel De Leon won fifth place in the Declamation category.

About Newark Public Schools

The Newark Public Schools is the largest school district in New Jersey and dates back to 1676.  The District currently enrolls over 40,000 students in 64 schools.  After more than two decades of state operation and upon return to local control in 2018, the District has opened ten new schools under Superintendent León’s leadership with an additional portfolio of new options to be announced in the coming months and years. The Newark Board of Education serves as a beacon of educational excellence, dedicated to nurturing the potential of every student. With a commitment to innovation, inclusivity, and fostering a love for learning, the District continues to shape future generations and make a positive impact within the community.

For media inquiries, please contact:
Paul Brubaker, Communications Director
Email: pbrubaker@nullnps.k12.nj.us
Phone: 973-803-6983

NBOE Celebrates Remarkable National Achievements in Speech and Debate

Picture from left to right: Luis Rivas (Central High assistant coach), Dennis Philbert (Central Coach), Ayomide Adekoya (11th Grade Central), Miriam Divo (12th Grade Central), Rebekah Edohwokui (11th Grade Central), Malakai Yepes (11th Grade University), Saul Grullon (Coach University), Michaela White (11th Grade University), Isiah Briggs (University Assistant Coach), Devane Murphy (Science Park Alumni, Former College Debate National Champion, Current Associate Director of Debate at the University of Kentucky)

The Department of Teaching and Learning at Newark Public Schools proudly highlights the recent achievements of  its speech and debate teams. Following their outstanding performances at the 52nd Tournament of Champions and the National Catholic Forensics League's National Championship, teams are now gearing up for the National Speech and Debate Association National Championships, scheduled for June 15-22 in Des Moines, Iowa. During the Tournament of Champions, in which only the best in the nation are invited to compete, hosted by the University of Kentucky, NBOE teams showcased exceptional skill and dedication, achieving their best results in the history of Newark attending the tournament. Under the experienced guidance of Coach Dennis K. Philbert, Central High School's Miriam Divo and Rebekah Edohwoku delivered stellar performances in Duo and Oral Interpretation, earning national acclaim and securing 2nd place. Central also took home 4th and 6th place finishes in other categories alongside University High School. The speech team from University High, led by Coach Saul Grullon in its inaugural year, had extraordinary success, with Malakai Yepes and Michaela White excelling in Duo Interpretation and coming in 5th place. The success continued at the National Catholic Forensics League's National Championship, where Mariam Divo from Central High School claimed 3rd place as National Champion in Dramatic Performance, among other impressive late-elimination appearances by Central and University High School achievements by District students.

As NBOE high school teams continue to excel nationally, it is with great excitement to announce that Peshine School will represent Newark at the Middle School portion of NSDA nationals. This inclusion highlights the broad scope of the speech and debate programs, which extend from elementary through high school levels. These outstanding results testify to the support facilitated by the partnership with Newark Debate Academy. Their collaborative efforts have been instrumental in integrating speech and debate education into the academic curriculum, creating a nurturing environment that encourages students to excel academically and personally in every aspect of their instruction.