December 10, 2009 - The last tournament with the winter middle grades conference resolution was Dec. 5 at Science Park High School. 85 beginner and 26 experienced teams representing over 20 schools competed in what was one of the largest tournaments held not just in Newark but in the nation. JUDL also hosted the Mid Hudson League tournament at East Side High School on the same date that brought debate teams from all over the Northeast.

At the middle school tournament JUDL Director Brent Farrand spoke about how the league is raising Newark debate to the next level. He said that only Science Park and Central High School can hold the tournaments, due to its tremendous growth in recent years. Therefore, the league may hold a tournament at two different schools on the same date to adjust to the size of the tournaments and make it easier to manage in the future.

"Newark has been evolving as a regional center of debate," Farrand said.

17 beginner and 3 experienced teams won all three of their rounds. Congratulations to everyone who competed. Farrand and Science Park LD coach Jonathan Alston spoke about the impact coaches have. "Coaches make an incredible difference in how you view the world," Alston said. "Debate’s a family and coming back to help." Alston started the chant, "I am a Newark debater," encouraging students to be proud of their city.

The next middle school tournament will be held on Jan. 23.

Top Beginner Teams:

Lafayette Street LL (Ashley Lopez & Cathrine Liberio)
Wilson Ave MR (Soraya Mota & Henry Rodrigues)
Bronx Law AB (Starr Arroyo & Yaira Brito)
Wilson Ave MT (Daniel Mendes & Jolarys Torres)
Mount Vernon DK (Abdoulaye Diallo & Saboor Khan)
RTreat/Camden MSDB (Destiny Robertson & McAfee Sheehan)
Mount Vernon SW (Thamilvili Sivanesan & Mikyyla Williams)
Rafael Hernandez CC (Luis Cruz & Timothy Carter)
Dr. Horton School AP (Tiana Andrews & Amyn Peleaz)
Alexander Street AB (Jasala Armour & Aleia Brown)

Top Beginner Speakers:

Celso Nunes (Lafayette Street NV)
McAfee Sheehan (RTreat/Camden MSDB)
Cathrine Liberio (Lafayette Street LL)
Abdoulaye Diallo (Mount Vernon DK)
Henry Rodrigues (Wilson Ave MR)
Daniel Mendes (Wilson Ave MT)
Petergaye Laine (Bronx Law LC)
Yaira Brito (Bronx Law AB)
Rui DeOliveira (Wilson Ave DD)

Top Experienced Teams:

First Ave SA (Nyasia Sanchez & Joshua Azcona)
Bronx Law AP (Charles Athanapolous & Armend Pashtriku)
Peshine Avenue AP (Nasir Asiralston & Bryanna Perkins)
Rafael Hernandez CG (Danny Caicedo & Marquis Gonzalez)
13th Avenue RR (Jaye Ross & Javon Ross)
Robert Treat FS (Jack Fox & Vera Shipman)
Robert Treat BR (Lynnea Brown & Carlos Rodriguez)
Peshine Avenue MS (Conrad Mccutcheon & Jahad Salters)
Maple Avenue HH (Shantell Hawthorne & Carsell Hawthorne)
Peshine SH (Tatyana Sessons & Saffiyah Hunter)

Top Experienced Speakers:

Jack Fox (Robert Treat FS)
Angelle Whavers (Mount Vernon AW)
Alana Rodriquez (13th Avenue R)
Shantell Hawthorne (Maple Avenue HH)
Keora Barkley (Peshine Avenue BJ)
Nyasia Sanchez (First Ave SA)
Marquis Gonzalez (Rafael Hernandez CG)
Maloni Jones (RafHern MJ)
Taylor Leake (Robert Treat AL)
Jaye Ross (13th Avenue RR)