Newark to host first ever Round Robin Tournament

By Margarita Morales

January 28, 2010 - On Feb. 4 and 5 Science Park High School will hold the first Annual Newark Lincoln-Douglas Round Robin tournament in conjunction with the 28th Annual Newark Debate Invitational. The tournament will bring 16 of the nation's best high school debaters for two days of head to head intellectual battle. Students from New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia, and Texas will compete. LD debate coach, Johnathan Alston spearheaded the tournament.

In high school debate a "Round Robin" is when highly competitive students are invited for a special, smaller tournament before a much larger one at the same site. The purpose of a "Round Robin" debate is to attract the best debaters from around the region and country to your tournament.

Schools competing from New Jersey include, Ridge High School in Basking Ridge, Millburn High School, and Whippany Park High School plus University and Science Park High School. Schools from out of state include The Greenhill Day School in Texas, Brooklyn Technical High School and Monticello High School in New York, William Allen High School and Bodine High School in Pennsylvania, Baltimore City College in Maryland, and Thomas Jefferson High School in Virginia.

University High seniors Elijah Smith and Carlos Astacio and Science Park High School senior Muta Mashack will compete in these highly competitive debates.

"The Round Robin will be judged by an eclectic mix of elite high school coaches, college debaters, former debaters, and people who deal with the moral and practical implications of policy in the real world," Alston said.

He continued, " The Round Robin will also include two interested parents who have little previous knowledge of high school debate. The goal is to have a mix of intelligent, thoughtful perspectives on the ideas and the performances in the debates."

Aaron Timmons, the director of debate at Greenhill School in Addison, Texas said, "I am incredibly excited about coming to New Jersey and for my students being afforded the opportunity to compete in the Round Robin."

Timmons is bringing one student to the Round Robin and one team for the Invitational tournament.

"Having known Jonathan Alston for about 15 years, I am sure that the competition, hospitality and facilities will be world class," he said.

The top two debaters will compete in a final round on Friday, Feb. 5 at 3 p.m. in the Conference Room of the "debate wing." The general public is invited to observe. Science Park High School is located at 260 Norfolk St. in Newark, NJ.

Schedule:

16 top LD debaters from 6 states
Science Park High School
February 4: 11am to 4pm
February 5: 10am to 4pm