| Barringer High School offers exciting opportunities for our students. Date: Tuesday, May 20, 2025 Location: Barringer High School’s Auditorium Time: Doors Open at 4:30 pm Presentation Begins at 5:00 pm All Barringer students, parents and guardians are welcomed to attend and support our students.Click here to enroll. |
Barringer High School celebrates our Speech and Debate Accomplishment!!
Barringer High School’s Britney Deer, coached by Michael Sowell, won the state title in the Declamation Category, March 2025, competing against hundreds of students. We are exceedingly proud of Britney and wish her continued successes.
Click here for more information about BHS Speech and Debate.
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.
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
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.”
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.
Jahnaiya Simpson won third place in Oral Interpretation, and Jamal Kirton won sixth place in the Humorous Interpretation category.
Ashley Lourenco and Anna Odra won second place in the Policy Debate category.
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.
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
| Every year on March 14th, math lovers, students, and pie enthusiasts alike come together to celebrate Pi Day - a quirky holiday dedicated to one of the most famous numbers in mathematics: π (pi). While it may seem like just another reason to enjoy a delicious slice of pie, Pi Day actually has an interesting history and significance. Teachers and schools often use Pi Day as a fun way to engage students in math and science. |
| Pi Day is an annual celebration of the mathematical constant π (pi), which represents the ratio of a circle’s circumference to its diameter. No matter the size of the circle, this ratio is always approximately 3.14159, which is why Pi Day is observed on March 14th (3/14). |
| Pi is an irrational number, meaning its decimal representation goes on forever without repeating. It has been calculated to trillions of digits, but for most calculations, the first few decimal places (3.14159) are enough. |
| Pi Day is more than just a fun holiday—it’s a celebration of math, science, and curiosity. Whether you're a student, a teacher, or just someone looking for a great excuse to eat pie, Pi Day is a great way to appreciate the magic of mathematics in everyday life. |
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| Click video above to see snippet of Alvin Ailey artist teaching Barringer High School students West African dance. | Click video above to see snippet of Alvin Ailey artist teaching Barringer High School students West African drumming. |
| Barringer High School Dance Academy is a college preparatory program that teaches modern dance, ballet, jazz and choreography. The program is designed to provide students with the foundations to leave high school ready to enroll in a dance education bachelor’s program or teach in a dance studio setting. |
