By Bill Parry
The Garden School in Jackson Heights has boasted of their academic excellence since 1923. Now their debate team has given the independent middle school something else to be proud of.
The Daniel Webster Society, the school’s debate team that was formed just three years ago, won their 2nd “Team of the Tournament” award this year. The Garden School played host to the Big Apple Division of the New York State Debate League sending three teams against some on Manhattan’s best private and charter schools.
After seven hours of heated debate, three of the Garden speakers placed in the top seven in the individual awards. In team awards, all three Garden teams placed in the top ten.
One Garden School administrator said the accomplishment was made in “David VS Goliath” fashion. “This team was on the younger side,” the Garden School’s Director of Outreach Jim Gaines said. “Less experienced, and due to other demands on their time like athletics and robotics team duties, couldn’t practice as often as their head coach, Richard Kruczek might have liked.”
Kruczek, who founded the Daniel Webster Society, was impressed with his team’s showing. “Garden’s academic focus ensures that our students are encouraged to speak up in class, to make presentations and to participate in school life through student government and athletics,” he said. “We do this to build confidence and develop their public speaking and teamwork abilities because these are 21st Century skills that are critical to our graduate’s success.”
The Daniel Webster Society hopes to continue its winning ways in the Regional Finals, held next month in Tarrytown.
Reach reporter Bill Parry by e-mail at g or by phone at (718) 260–4538.
