VIPs come to praise the JUDL and Brent Farrand

By Margarita Morales

Part 2 of a series commemorating the Brent Farrand Retirement/Launch Party on June 5, 2010

June 18, 2010 - During the retirement dinner/launch party Brent Farrand was greeted with warm words by Greg Varley, Craig Drinkard, Marcia Brown, and Wyclef Jean on his 30 years of dedication to the Newark debate community. They highlighted where JUDL has been, the impact he's made, and where we are today.

Greg Varley recognizes Farrand

Starting off the recognition was Greg Varley, former debate coach of Lakeland High School. He spoke about Brent Farrand being ahead of his time. He attributed the success of debate to Farrand. Varley said:

“He encouraged his debaters to conform to the traditional debate norms, so that they might be successful at the highest levels of the activity – and successful they were. Newark Science debaters were articulate, well-researched, well-drilled in strategy, and determined to undermine whatever preconceptions might have existed about inner city students of color or ethnicity – especially within the ‘debate norm’.”

Varley also discussed how Farrand launched Science High School debate, offering students the opportunity to compete with other schools and also how he worked to expand debate all over Newark. He credited the debaters success both because of their own drive, intelligence and determination, but also because Farrand willed them. “Debate became blind to color because Brent too willed that,” he said.

Even when Farrand was in administration roles he still pushed to keep debate vibrant in Newark, finding ways to fund the program, and keep students engaged and motivated in the activity, all the while maintaining his own family and keeping his teaching spirit alive on some level.

He closed by saying that the 'Golden Age of Debate' is now and that Farrand was its pathfinder.

Craig Drinkard speaks of real-world change

Following was Victoria Foundation program officer and Jersey Urban Debate League board member, Craig Drinkard. His remarks included why the Victoria Foundation funds the JUDL program, Farrand's championships, and how he wishes he had the chance to debate when he was in high school. He said that tonight showed him why the Victoria Foundation supports debate. The physical evidence he sees of how debate has helped transform people's lives, he said, is because of Brent Farrand. Furthermore, he said that Farrand's “championships” extend beyond physical items you can hold like plaques and trophies, but rather the impact that is felt by everyone involved in the program that he's affected.

“I am so so humbled and I got to say a little jealous,” he said. “I'll say quite jealous, because I unfortunately was at one of those other schools in Newark who didn't have the opportunity back in the '80s to have Brent walk through our door; but, I am so glad that he found his niche in that place and served as that seed in that rich environment, where you all came from, and feed off that idea that changed your lives, changed the perception of residents of the city of Newark, and I am so glad to be here.”

Marcia Brown remembers 30 years of Farrand

Drinkard introduced his colleague, Marcia Brown, who is also the Vice Chancellor of Rutgers University in Newark to make a few remarks. Brown has known Farrand for 30 years because her daughter debated at Science High School. Her perception of him was that he was demure and diminutive hippie who she was hesitant could make change in Newark for the city's students, but she soon found out that he indeed would make his mark through the debate program.

“This guy is legend,” she said referencing the Will Smith movie, I am Legend. She expressed sadness that the Mayor, Governor, and Superintendent of Newark Public Schools didn't attend to see what Farrand started 30 years ago and has come into fruition. Perhaps most remarkable is her announcement that in 2013, for the first time, Newark will host the National Urban Debate League tournament. It was Brent Farrand who worked to make sure it would happen.

Wyclef Jean thanks Farrand

Wyclef Jean, recording artist and brother of two former Newark debaters, spoke about how he was personally influenced by Farrand, even though he wasn't directly involved with debate. He thanked Farrand for giving his brother Farel the chance to compete and win trophies.

“A lot of people say: 'Clef, you're not a regular rapper. You speak so articulate.' I speak so articulate because I get it from my little brother Farel Jean. Thank you for that [Brent] and when you retire I have a lot of fast cars, so we can ride.”

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