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.