February 19, 2010 - The Newark Invitational Tournament on Feb. 5 and 6 brought together over 300 high school students, coaches, judges, and staff in celebration of 30 years of debate in the Brick city. For the first time the tournament was held at two different locations. Lincoln-Douglas debaters competed at Science Park High School, while Policy debaters were at East Side High School. The decision to hold the tournament at two different cites made the tournament easier to manage and demonstrated the enormous growth of the tournament in recent years. Forty-two novice policy teams, 36 varsity policy teams, and 70 LD debaters competed. While snow was predicted, the weather held up nicely and didn't deter any of the weekend's activities.

First Newark Round Robin

LD debaters got an intense three days of competition with the start of the Round Robin that began on Thursday, Feb. 4. The tournament divided the top 16 students in the country into two groups: The Phoenix Group (for University HS) and the Charger Group (for Science Park HS). Charles Chy from William Allen High School in Pennsylvania who represented the Phoenix Group competed with Tanya Thanawalla from Greenhill School in Texas who represented the Charger Group.

The two competed in a slowed down final round exhibition debate for 5 guest panelists. The panelists included Irene Cooper-Basch (Executive Officer of the Victory Foundation), Marcia Brown (Vice Chancellor for Student and Community Affairs at Rutgers University in Newark), Farel Jean (Music Producer and brother of Wyclef Jean), James Ballentine (New Jersey state department manager of education), and Angel L. Juarbe (Executive Assistant to the superintendent for Newark Public Schools). Tanya ultimately won the final round on a 5-0 decision.

LD Invitational

At the LD Invitational Charles Chy returned to face a final round with Monticello High School's Dan Cook. They debated in front of an 11 judge panel featuring distinguished Newark Science alumni and other experienced critics. On a 6-5 decision Charles beat Dan, taking the rein as LD champion at the Newark Invitational. Tanya Thanawalla took first place speaker.

Cory Booker speaks at opening ceremony

At the opening ceremony of the policy Newark Invitational Mayor Cory Booker addressed debaters, coaches, judges, and onlookers at East Side High School on Friday afternoon. He spoke about the positive happenings in Newark, the importance of debate, and discussed the year's topic of poverty. Shortly after he started his speech students from Brooklyn Technical High School displayed individual letters which together read CAPITALISM=POVERTY. This sparked an impromptu discussion of the topic.

"Unchecked capitalism leads to taxes," Booker said. "There are less people living in poverty today then generations ago."

He argued that it's unchecked capitalism that causes poverty. He also mentioned the micro-credit situation with India (where very small loans are given to person living in poverty) and that there are negotiations in the U.S. about micro-loans.

Newark debate alumnus, coach, and judge Gery Evans said, "I liked the fact that he spoke about how we're going to better Newark through negotiations with micro-loans."

JUDL raises money for Haitian relief

Back at Science Park HS the JUDL was raising money for Haitian relief. The league raised over $700 for the Yele Haiti Foundation. Andrea de Sá, a Newark Science alumni and current Princeton University student and coach Mimi Rosenbaum helped organize and run the event that evening. Meals were served for $5 a plate in order to raise donations. Thanks goes out to Primabel Bar & Restaurant, Estrela da Ponderosa, Sol Mar, Pulaski BBQ, Andros Diner, and Tony's Pizzeria for donating food that made the event possible. The donation was presented to Sedeck (Ferral Jean), an alumni of Newark debate and Wyclef Jean's brother.

Policy Invitational

In varsity Evan Sweet and Henry Osman from The Beacon School placed first and in novice Geordano Liriano and Armend Pashtriku from Bronx Law placed first, both on a 5-0 win. Eight JUDL debaters placed in the top 20. In varsity policy Jazir Beckford and Quamir Johnson from American History placed 15th and 17th. In novice policy Dazir Moses from American History placed 5th speaker, Bernardo Quinde from Newark Science placed 7th speaker, Sierra Underdue from University placed 14th speaker, Victoria Borges from Technology placed 15th speaker, and Tazmen Boyd from American History placed 18th speaker.

Aaron Timmons receives Friendship Award

Finally, at the Invitational coach Aaron Timmons of the Greenhill School in Texas received the first annual Vernell Copeland Farrand Friendship Award. The award is named after the wife of JUDL's director, Brent Farrand. It recognizes supporters of the Newark debate community. Jon Cruz and Richard B. Sodikow donated the award to recognize the long-standing friendship between the Bronx High School of Science and Newark Science High School.

Closing

After a successful and busy weekend, debaters are now gearing up for competition at state finals in March. Congratulations to all the participants and all the best to debaters in their upcoming competitions.