Saul Grullon, the team’s coach, named District Coach of the Year
NEWARK, N.J. – A year ago, there were only two students on University High School’s speech and debate team. But those two students – Michaela White and Malakai Yepes – were just what their coach, Saul Grullon, needed to begin building a successful program.
Last year, both students made it in the semifinals in the National Catholic Forensic League’s national tournament. In the 2024 National Speech and Debate Association’s national tournament, Michaela made it to the octofinals (akin to the “Sweet 16” in NCAA basketball) in the Program of Oral Interpretation category and Malakai in Prose Interpretation. Their success has continued this year, with Michaela winning a state championship in Program of Oral Interpretation last month, the District’s first to achieve the top prize in the category. She also won the Governor’s Award from the State of New Jersey and the New Jersey Speech and Debate League.
As the students prepare for this year’s national tournaments, their coach has been named the National Speech and Debate Association’s District Coach of the Year.
“It’s unbelievable, to be honest,” said Grullon, a graduate of Barringer High School, who was a speech and debate competitor himself. “The chances of being Coach of the Year are very minuscule. There are a lot of great coaches out there. They have bigger teams.”
Grullon, who began coaching two years ago, credits his award to the program’s growth – the team has 17 members now – and the continued success of his students.
Students Reflect on the Road Ahead
The two most anticipated national tournaments are scheduled at the end of the school year. The National Catholic Forensic League’s Grand National Tournament will be in Chicago on May 24 and 25, and the National Speech and Debate Association’s National Tournament will be in Des Moines from June 15 – 20.
“I’m just grateful for the opportunity,” said Josmanuel DeLeonbernard, a ninth grader who is getting to compete in the Duo Interpretation category with a performance of Snaps by Kristy Thomas. “I want to show that I’m willing to give everything it takes to go into nationals.”
Sophomore Dante Elliott, Josmanuel’s partner, described the past year as intense but rewarding.
“It feels amazing,” Dante said. “It’s been a long year. A lot of thought has been put into this.”
Mary Aribo, a senior who joined the team this year with her Duo Interpretation partner Solim Agbada, shared in the team’s excitement for the national tournaments.
“It’s an honor to be able to perform at nationals,” Mary said.
Advocacy, Emotion, and Expression
The speech and debate tournaments aren’t always formal with stand-at-the-podium rigidity. They can be delivered with movement, inflection, and emotion.
“When you give a speech, there's a meaning behind it and a message you're trying to send. That's what speech, as an activity, is,” said Michael Adeleke from Science Park High School, who will compete as part of the University High School team at the National Catholic Forensic League’s national tournament in May. “Simply put, it’s more fun to watch something than just sit there and listen to a long speech.”
Speech and debate overall, it’s a message you’re trying to send to other people, something you’re trying to get through.”
“When I practice every day, I’m literally on the verge of tears,” said Michaela, one of Grullon’s original two students, about one of the pieces she is preparing, Ansel Elkins’ Reverse: A Lynching. “You really have to be deeply connected with your script in order to master it,” she said.
“Movement is also a way of speaking,” said Solim, who with, Mary Aribo, has been working on an excerpt from The Syringa Tree by Pamela Gien. “We talk with our body — that’s just a way to convey information and get our point across.”
“Speech at its core is advocacy and communication,” said Malakai, who has been developing his interpretation of an excerpt from Am I Blue by Marion Dane Bauer. “It’s a beautiful way to acknowledge the issues going on in our current-day society.”
“We are incredibly proud of our students who are preparing to compete on the national stage, and of Coach Saul Grullon for building a championship-caliber team in just two years,” said Superintendent León. “His recognition as District Coach of the Year is a well-deserved honor that reflects the passion, dedication, and excellence happening across Newark Public Schools. He embodies the greatness of our student body because he was our student. He symbolizes the highest of expectations of our teachers because, as one of them, he sees the greatness in his students.”
“Congratulations to Coach Grullon and every student on University High School’s remarkable speech and debate team,” said Board President Hasani K. Council, and alumnus of University High School. “Their hard work, talent, and determination are inspiring. It’s no small feat to earn a place at the national level, and it speaks volumes about the strength of the program and the leadership behind it.”
“Watching our students grow as performers, leaders, and advocates has been one of the great joys of this school year,” said University High School Principal Genique Flournoy-Hamilton. “They have dedicated countless hours to refining their craft, and their achievements. I am also incredibly proud of Coach Grullon for his vision, leadership, and unwavering belief in our students.”