Becton Regional High School’s Debate team is making their case this season with loads of recognition and various wins.
This year, varsity teams consist of Eric Jiang and Joseph Lapitan, Gabriella Jaskot and Andi Passley, Karolina Rupinski and Baback Ghalamsiah, and Charlotte Ferriolo and Marisa Sclafani. There are also four junior varsity teams, including Alexa Tamayo and Yolande Fall, Zoey Werner and Lilliana Bravo Cardozo, Orgyen Pongdung and Dhawa Lhamo, and Natalie Hefka and Tara Nyima. Judges this year include Noella Turla, Prisha Patel, Brandon Martinez-Perez, Tenzin Namdol, Claudia Da Mata, Mika Tampadong, Kimi Tampadong, Tenzin Gungpa, Adam Almshref, Samantha Restrepo, Nataniel Paredes and Robert Polanco.
The debates centered on this year’s resolution, which focuses on strengthening intellectual property rights within the United States Federal Government. The teams make plans to strengthen trademarks, patents, and/or copyrights. Turla provides an example, “One plan I have encountered is the prevention of evergreening patents, which would help smaller businesses.” The topic is selected collaboratively by the advisors each year or, in this case, for the season.
On Nov. 15, Becton Debate hosted a tournament featuring 24 teams from six schools, including Emerson, Tenafly, and Cresskill– among others. Planning for the event began weeks in advance, with organizers mapping out rooms, schedules, and team rosters. Participants were paired up and assigned to classrooms, where they competed in four matches scored by judges. During the tournament, Ferriolo and Sclafani secured an impressive third-place finish, while Ghalamsiah earned recognition as a varsity speaker. Debate coach, Mr. Carr, also gave a special shout out to senior Claudia DaMata who stepped into the role of “Chief Minion”, making sure everyone was where they needed to be at the proper time.
This home debate provided team members the unique opportunity to compete in front of other classes in the building, pushing them to perform at their best. Reflecting on the home competition, Turla shared, “Home competitions are scary and fun. We have to compete in front of people we know, which makes us strive for perfection. It is fun, though, to see familiar faces and walk our hallways.” Sclafani agreed, “I was really happy I was able to show the school what varsity debate is all about!” Turla also highlighted the crucial role of the maintenance and cafeteria staff– Pomptonian Food Service, adding, “The maintenance and cafeteria staff are the staple of these competitions, helping us to set up the PAC for the day and providing amazing food.”
Following the first home debate, the annual Yale Model Congress trip took place Dec. 5-8, where delegates proposed legislative bills on chosen topics and committees for three days. Over 800 students from 10 states and 35 schools participated. Senior Joseph Lapitan was one of the attendees and received an award for Best Legislation in his committee, Blue Senate Foreign Affairs for his bill entitled “The Addressing and Supporting Human Rights in the Philippines Act”. Students hope to continue their success when they attend Harvard Model Congress in February.
The second home debate was held on Jan. 10, six schools participated, ranging from Cresskill to North Bergen. The Nearly Famous Becton Debate Team brought “lots of hardware” home, as debate coach Mr. Carr puts it. Rupinski and Ghalamsiah won first place for teams with 101 points, giving them their fourth trophy this season and second first place ranking. Judge Turla won best judge, making it her second win this season and her fifth in the past two years. Since it was the last home debate of senior year, Turla says it was an honor for the teams and judges to be able to participate and win in areas of the debate.
As for debate advisor, Mr. Carr, he has demonstrated dedication through his guidance and support of each student.“Mr. Carr has shaped the debate team into a new generation of leaders. He encourages us to think outside the box, preparing us for future careers while providing us the tools to become great presenters and speakers, to which we are never afraid to speak our mind,” Turla mentioned.
As the team reaches the halfway point of the year, the upperclassmen and Mr. Carr are shaping and mentoring the underclassmen, passing on their knowledge of the world of debate. “All of the freshmen have great potential. I know that every single team will become better than the years before them,” Turla shared. She specifically praised sophomores Gabriella Jaskot and Andi Passley for demonstrating their promise as they compete in varsity tournaments.
“Hopefully, the Debate Team will place in the Championship Debate Meet and bring home future awards from the Harvard Model Congress,” Mr. Carr shared with determination, as the team prepares for the Harvard Model Congress event, taking place from Feb. 20 to Feb. 23.