Queens debate club gives young students confi dence
BY CARLOTTA MOHAMED
When Erin Jacques
founded the Early Scholars
Speech and Debate Society
three years ago, her goal was
to raise awareness about
social anxiety and to use the
art of debate as a way to reduce
it in elementary and middle
school students.
Now, several regional
tournaments and awards
later, her students — which
range from third to eighth
grade — serve as a testament
to the positive effects debate
can have on self-confidence
and the ability to advocate for
a cause.
In the past two months,
Early Scholars students
competed in two NYC Urban
Debate League tournaments
where they advanced to the
New York City Championships,
set to take place in March.
Students, as young as nine,
competed at the middle school
level and debated topics that
included U.S. price controls on
the pharmaceutical industry,
reducing the federal deficit
and more.
In the past two months, Early Scholars students competed in two NYC Urban Debate League
tournaments where they advanced to the New York City Championships, set to take place in March.
Parents can see a
notable difference in the
students’ ability to advocate
for themselves.
“Even though some (topics)
may be more challenging
or controversial, we believe
that seeing both sides of the
argument and being able
to argue from both sides
Courtesy of Erin Jacques
are extremely important to
the development of a child’s
maturity and unbiased
perspective,” said Ada Zhou,
Early Scholars Society parent.
“We definitely found major
improvements in David’s
ability to reason and defend
his own opinions.”
Currently, Early Scholars
elementary and middle school
students are preparing for
their in-house parliamentary
style tournament where they
will hone their debate skills
on Saturday, March 16, from
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at PS 188
Kingsbury School located
at 218-12 Hartland Ave. in
Bayside. Other members —
some as young as 9 — will
compete at the NYC Debate
Championships during the
same time in New York City.
“Tournaments and awards
aside, I am proud of our
scholars’ ability to advocate
for themselves and confidently
speak in front of others,” said
Jacques. “I am excited to
watch our scholars continue to
grow and become the leaders
of tomorrow!”
Reach reporter Carlotta
Mohamed by e-mail at
cmohamed@schnepsmedia.
com or by phone at (718) 260–
4526.
TIME TO EARN
ON YOUR TERMS
14–MONTH CD 2.55%
5–MONTH CD 2.40%
APY1
$2,500 minimum to open and earn interest. $500 minimum to open and earn interest.
Earn with the term that meets your savings goal.
myNYCB.com • (877) 786-6560
APY1
1
!
" ""
imposed for withdrawals before maturity. Fees could reduce earnings. The Promotional CDs must be opened with new money not currently on deposit with the Bank. Rates are available for
accounts opened in branches located in New York and New Jersey only. Offer may be withdrawn at the discretion of the bank at any time.
©2019 New York Community Bank
TIMESLEDGER,22 MARCH 8-14, 2019 TIMESLEDGER.COM
/myNYCB.com
/TIMESLEDGER.COM
link
