Local Debate Team Coach Wins 'Seventh Diamond'

A debate coach at Harry S Truman High School in Levittown recently received an award from a national honor society acknowledging his work with local students.

Carl Grecco was given a "Seventh Diamond" from the National Forensic League -- the nation's oldest speech and debate honor society. The Seventh Diamond award has only been given out 13 times since the League's inception in 1925.

Grecco is a former teacher with Bristol Township dating back to 1962. He has coached the township's debate team for almost 50 years, even after retiring from teaching in 1988. Under his leadership, Grecco took the team to 36 national forensic speech finals.

Grecco's tenure at Truman High School aided in the school receiving five "Leading Chapter" awards as well as a seat in the "Top 200 club" in the League.

In addition to coaching, Grecco served on the executive Board of the Pennsylvania High School Speech League for more than 35 years. He is currently in the PA Speech League's Hall of Fame.

Students compete in the League's forensic speech tournaments for higher education scholarships. Over $153,000 in scholarships are typically awarded in the national competitions.

The National Forensic League says it is the largest interscholastic speech and debate organization in the country; representing 2,800 high schools and 1.3 million students.