8 | MARCH 14 • 2024 
J
N

essay
Honoring a Teacher and Mentor
I 

am writing to honor John 
Lawson, a local Michigan 
public educator, debate 
coach and mentor whose 
unwavering 
commitment to 
speech, debate, 
students and 
the Jewish 
community has 
left an indelible 
mark on those 
he has touched 
over the course of his 34-year 
career. 
 As John Lawson’s 71st 
birthday approaches at the end 
of this month, it is fitting to 
celebrate his remarkable life, 
continued contributions to the 
Jewish community and impact 
on the lives of thousands of 
students. 
 For over 35 years, he has 
led, fundraised and acted as 
the director and co-director 
of Wylie E. Groves Debate 
Program. My participation in 
the Wylie E. Groves debate 
program saved my life and 
has allowed me to excel in my 
career and be in a place that I 
am able to donate to causes he 
and I support.
Mr. Lawson’s impact 
has extended beyond the 
classroom, as evidenced by 
his continuous support for the 
Detroit Urban Debate League, 
for which he organized a 
fundraiser on the occasion of 
his upcoming birthday. 
 Mr. Lawson has 
volunteered his time for over 
15 years to the Detroit Urban 
Debate League. He has served 
as both the vice board chair 
and interim executive director. 
He has initiated hundreds of 
fundraisers over the years, 

participated in hundreds of 
meetings, and has committed 
hours and hours of his time 
to disadvantaged students 
at various schools in Detroit 
so they can participate in a 
speaking activity that can give 
them transferable skills and 
build self-confidence that lasts 
a lifetime. 
 I am one of several former 
debate students of Mr. 
Lawson. I want to share my 
insights and reflections on his 
lifetime dedication to various 
causes and his students. 
Throughout his illustrious 
career, Mr. Lawson has 
consistently prioritized the 
well-being and development 
of his students, putting their 
needs above his own. His 
selfless dedication has inspired 
countless individuals to 
pursue academic excellence 
and contribute to their 
communities.
In addition to his support 

of students, throughout 
his life, John Lawson has 
donated to countless amazing 
organizations and he deserves 
to be honored for it. He has 
donated recently to the Anti-
Defamation League, Jewish 
Federation’s Israel Emergency 
Fund, Human Rights 
Watch, ACLU and Amnesty 
International to help provide 
aid to people in need. 
 He has also donated to the 
National Council of Jewish 
Women in commemoration 
of his mother, and his parents’ 
fund at Temple Beth El (Ellin, 
Harold and William Lawson 
Youth Institute).
He currently is leading 
the Birmingham Education 
Foundation’s Groves Debate 
Support Fund, which my 
family recently donated 
to. Groves’ students need 
donations to participate in 
debate tournaments and 
summer camps this year. If 

you are able to donate, please 
follow this link, https://
supportbef.ejoinme.org/
GrovesDebate.
I have personally 
experienced Mr. Lawson’s 
mentorship, and want to 
express my gratitude and 
admiration for the profound 
influence he has had on me 
for over 20 years and the lives 
of hundreds of others. 
 John Lawson has truly 
been a huge role model 
and inspiration in my life, 
and hopefully others can 
recognize and appreciate his 
impactful contributions as a 
lifelong educator in our Jewish 
community on the eve of his 
71st birthday. 

Sara Garfield is a Groves Policy 

Debate alumna, board member 

and previous keynote speaker for 

the Michael and Elaine Serling Institute 

for Jewish Studies at Michigan State 

University. She is a digital marketing 

professional who lives in Metro Detroit.

Sara Garfield

PURELY COMMENTARY

LEFT: John Lawson and Sara Garfield at Sara’s wedding at Cornman Farms in Dexter, Michigan, this last July.
RIGHT: Mr. Lawson speaking to students.