Livingston High Students Put Debate Skills To Test At Tourney

LIVINGSTON, NJ — The following news release comes courtesy of the Livingston Public School District. Learn more about posting announcements or events to your local Patch site here.

Three members of the Livingston High School Forensics Team recently competed in the 67th Annual NCFL Grand National Speech and Debate Tournament in Washington, DC. The event was comprised of 2,751 students and 1,510 judges from 558 schools and 66 leagues.

Jaina Jallow qualified for the semifinal round (top 12 in the nation) and won a trophy in Declamation with her rendition of Shane Koyczan's 2013 TED Talk, "'To This Day' ... for the bullied and beautiful." Jaina is only the third LHS student to qualify for the semifinal round at the NCFL Nationals in 14 years.

Ethan Reiter and Evan Tong qualified for the octofinal round (top 16 in the nation) and won a trophy in Public Forum Debate. They debated the following topic: "Resolved: Municipalities in the United States ought to be able to declare themselves 'sanctuary cities.'" This is Evan's second year qualifying for NCFL Nationals.

English teacher, Dr. Michael Sunga, and business and economics teacher, Mr. Alex Lamon, accompanied the team as coaches, judges, and chaperones.

In addition, 54 students in speech, debate, and mock trial were recognized on June 5 as new members, degree recipients, or graduates in a special ceremony for LHS’s chapter of the National Speech and Debate Honor Society (NSDA). The NSDA awarded Dr. Sunga and Mr. Lamon, respectively, the Superior Distinction Degree for their dedicated service as coaches.

The program featured Kerry Zak as its keynote speaker. Zak is a 2015 graduate of Livingston High School, past co-president of the Forensics Team, and an NCFL Grand National Tournament qualifier. Kerry is currently pursuing her BFA in dance at Rutgers University’s Mason Gross School of the Arts, and will continue her studies at the Rutgers Graduate School of Education.

The event also featured a flag ceremony, led by Livingston Boy Scout Troop 12.

“Congratulations to the Forensics Team on an outstanding season!” said the coaches.

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Photo: Livingston Public School District