Debate League – Arguing is encouraged and heckling is rewarded for the middle school students from seven schools competing in the newly formed Garden State Debate League. Stone Bridge Middle School teachers Dee Burek and Judi Hoffman organized the first debate which included a team from California. John Meany, who started the nation’s rapidly expanding Middle School Public Debate Program 11 years ago in California, has a firsthand look at the fledgling New Jersey debaters in grades six through eight. Barkalow Middle School in Freehold, won top honors.