The debate team from Roy W. Brown Middle School in Bergenfield recently swam in some heavy academic waters on its first outing, taking part in a United Nations-style forum at William Paterson University.
Principal Dr. Ronald Kopec said the club’s 21 students were honored April 11 as the Best Overall Delegation at the end of a day where, as "delegates," they debated such issues as security, human rights, and science and technology in the developing world.
Five other schools from North Jersey also participated in what was billed as the William Paterson University Middle School Model United Nations Competition 2008 debate event.
"This team of 21 students has been meeting after school every week getting ready for this," Kopec said, "and I am really, really proud of them. They did great."
Kopec said the team received a plaque at the end of what he called "a very long day."
The principal also said credit for the team’s success should be given to the group’s faculty leader, Gilbert Cividanes, who teaches eighth-grade social studies at the school.
Kopec said he reviewed material about the event and encouraged the team to take part.
"We saw an opportunity to enter this," he said.
"Officials from William Paterson then came to Roy W. Brown and met with the team beforehand," he said.
Kopec said that, although the team consists largely of eighth-graders, boys and girls from the sixth and seventh grades also participate.
"This is a large club," he said, "and I’m incredibly proud of them."
"This is a very busy school, and the kids do a lot of great things here," Kopec said.
The students were also congratulated at a special after-school assembly last week.
"Everyone here is thrilled," Kopec said.
