Newark Public Schools Students Win Five First-Place Awards at Prestigious New York City Invitational Speech & Debate Tournament

NEW YORK CITY – Newark Public Schools students won five first-place awards at the 2025 New York City Invitational Speech & Debate Tournament, one of the nation’s most competitive and respected forensics competitions.

The three-day event, hosted annually by the Bronx High School of Science, attracts hundreds of elite debaters and speakers from across the country. Newark students from Science Park High School, Central High School, Barringer High School, University High School, and Arts High School distinguished themselves among the nation’s best, earning top placements in multiple categories and team sweepstakes honors.

Newark Public Schools’ five first-place awards are:

• Policy Debate: Mofoluwa Olagadeyo and Risiqat Adeniji – Science Park High School
• Dramatic Interpretation: Jamal Kirton – Central High School
• Duo Interpretation: Jamal Kirton and Champion Allwell – Central High School
• Poetry and Prose: Jamal Kirton – Central High School
• Original Oratory: Britney Deer – Barringer High School

“Our students’ extraordinary success at one of the country’s most competitive tournaments shows how Newark Public Schools continue to raise the bar in academic competition,” said Superintendent León. “Winning five first-place awards at a national-level tournament is a tremendous achievement, and we could not be prouder of these high school students and their coaches.”

“Once again, Newark’s students proved that our city produces some of the most talented debaters and speakers in the nation,” said Board of Education President Hasani K. Council. “Their victories reflect the passion, preparation, and excellence that define Newark Public Schools.”

Science Park Sweeps The Policy Debate Tournament

Under the guidance of Coach Jonathan Alston, Science Park High School captured 1st Place in Policy Debate, with the team of Mofoluwa Olagadeyo and Risiqat Adeniji taking top honors. As they advanced through the tournament brackets, they defeated teams from New York, Maryland, Florida, and Pennsylvania. Teammates Anne Odra and Moyinoluwa Olagadeyo reached the Octofinals, while Anne-Blessing Odra (3rd), Moyinoluwa Olagadeyo (6th), Mofoluwa Olagadeyo (7th), and Risiqat Adeniji (8^th) earned individual Speaker Awards, underscoring Science Park’s continued dominance in policy debate. There were 126 speakers in the Policy Debate tournament.

Central Scores A Hat Trick

Led by Coach Dennis Philbert, Central High School delivered an exceptional showing with three first-place finishes. Jamal Kirton earned 1st Place in Dramatic Interpretation and 1st Place in Poetry and Prose and teamed with Champion Allwell to win 1st Place in Duo Interpretation. Central also earned 5th Place Overall in the Sweepstakes Team Award, highlighting the school’s depth of talent.

Barringer Brings It And Achieves Excellence

With Coach Michael Sowell at the helm, Barringer High School continued its strong forensics tradition. Britney Deer and Toumaye Siripe took 1st and 2nd Place respectively in Original Oratory, while Sheekira King placed 3rd in Poetry and Prose and Edgar Medina earned 6th in Humorous Interpretation. Barringer also achieved 2nd Place Overall in the Sweepstakes Team Award, marking one of its best tournament performances to date.

University Phoenixes Rise To The Finals

With Coach Saul Grullon leading the Phoenix, University High School’s Dante Elliott earned 5th Place in Dramatic Interpretation and, with Josmanuel Deleon, took 5th Place in Duo Interpretation. Deleon also reached the semifinals in both Dramatic Interpretation and Poetry and Prose, joined by Belonica Maceno and Jazzlee Usher, who advanced to the semifinal round as well.

Arts High’s Hall Places Fourth In The Finals

Representing Arts High School and coached by David Richardson, Kamira Hall placed 4th in both Program of Oral Interpretation and Poetry and Prose, while Lordina Gakpe reached the semifinals in Poetry and Prose.