Long Middle School triples up on debate awards

Long Middle School earned a nice share of spotlight recently with three special honors from the Atlanta Urban Debate League out of Emory University. Principal Dr. Elizabeth L. Harris (pictured above, left) was given the Dr. Beverly L. Hall Administrator of the Year Award, while Program Assistant Dr. Donna Murrell-Speed (pictured above, right) earned the Debate Coach of the Year. The school received the Commitment to Excellence Award.

The awards were mainly recognition of the deep level of participation by the school in the debate competition held around metro Atlanta. Long Middle also has hosted debate tournaments. “It’s just a way that we help our students gain self-confidence, moral character, improve their skills at speaking,” said Dr. Harris. “Our debate team grows each year. And they really and thoroughly enjoy it.”

Dr. Murrell-Speed expressed deep gratitude for receiving the award. “It says I’m doing what I’m supposed to be doing in terms of helping build academic skills, moral character, socialization skills,” Dr. Murrell-Speed said. “This just gives kids a chance to recognize that there are always two sides to every story, so they can respect everybody’s opinions.”

For more from Dr. Harris and Murrell-Speed, check out this audio interview here. For more photos, click here.