Debaters at George Washington Carver School - JUDL February 22, 2011 - The Jersey Urban Debate League hosted 18 schools at the G.W. Carver middle school tournament on Feb. 19. The tournament was the first with the Spring resolution resolved: The United States federal government should terminate its contracts with Private Military Contractors performing combat operations.

Denyse McCombs, the coach at Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School said that debate is a great experience for her students.

"First, students are more confident, and second they gain writing and research skills," she said. "Debate covers so much: reading, writing, speaking, listening. I've seen students really blossom."

She said that last year was the first time her school received an award.

Results
Beginner Teams
Beginner Speaker
Experienced Teams
Experienced Speakers

"The students thought that they were going to say Dr. Horton won, but they said Dr. MLK," McCombs said. "They couldn't believe it. Once they had the first win it created a thirst for them to want to win and they became more focused."

Two of McCombs beginner debaters, Jaynell Lewis and Ron-Nae Smallwood and debaters from Mt. Vernon and Lafayette Street Schools spoke about their thoughts on the new resolution and debate in general.

"I think [the topic is] cool because my dad is in the army and he's a private military contractor," Lewis said. "It's fun because people say I'm wrong but then I prove them right. I get some info from my dad."

Lewis' debate partner Smallwood said she thinks the new topic is easy because she had prior knowledge about it.

Crystal Soraluz, an 8th grade beginner debater at Lafayette Street School, said that the new topic is too overwhelming.

"I think that there's a lot of information to take in," she said. "But you get used to it and then after the first round you feel confident."

She said that it's not her favorite topic because it's on a high school level.

"In my school there's 5th graders who debate and it's hard for them to understand some of the information," she said.

Soraluz didn't know that PMC's existed prior to learning about the new topic. However, she admits that she likes challenges and coming across something new.

"My favorite part about debate is clash and using the opponents evidence against them," she said.

Representing Mt. Vernon in the beginner division was Ishaq Shah, and in the experienced division was debate partners Hifza Rathore and Khadija Bhatti.

For 8th grader Shah he learned about PMC's through debate. He said that he doubts other students in his grade know what PMC's are.

"I have an advantage because it expands my knowledge," he said. "I'd suggest debate to my friends. I like debate because I can argue freely and use my evidence to support my claims. It's official."

Rathore and Bhatti also didn't know what PMC's were until their coach Whitney Farrand introduced the topic to them.

"I was afraid at first, but after my partner and I got together and learned about it I felt more comfortable," Rathore said.

Bhatti said, "at first I was also clueless but I feel debate is about having us more intrigued and giving us topics out of the ordinary. It's about teaching me more about my surroundings and what's happening in my country."

Rathore also spoke about learning about Blackwater, one of the popular PMC's. She said that debate has been a real "eye opener" for her.

Bhatti said she was inspired by her older brother Omer, a varsity debater at University High School.

"When I see my brother debate and win trophies it inspires me," she said. "I want to do it too. Debate is not only an activity but a learning experience. Debate is my life."

They both agreed that they favor the new topic over the previous one because it's challenging and there's more evidence they can use.

"Everyone says that lawyers fight for what's right and that's what I want to do," Bhatti said. "You feel so great inside and open up so much."

Next middle grades tournament will be held at First Ave School on March 19th.