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Independence, MO —
As a freshman at Truman High School, Damon Brown had one goal – to win as many debate tournaments as he could.
However, as he grew older, he started thinking less of himself and more of the success of the team.
“I think I am definitely a lot more team-orientated now,” said the senior at Truman High School. “I like to see my teammates win. I like to see us as a team succeed. I think that is more important to me than my own individual success.”
But no one can dispute Brown’s success as a debater for the Truman High School Varsity Speech and Debate Squad. He has been so successful that he has earned enough points, more than 1,900, to rank 32nd in the United States and first in Missouri. Points are accumulated at every tournament. The higher a student places, the more points awarded.
“I was really excited when Ms. (Chris) Adams told me,” he said. “But I really feel like it is more of a reflection of the entire program and not just me. The team and my coaches have helped me to get to this level.”
Brown said he has learned a lot about himself since he started participating in debate as an eighth grader. But his entrance into the program was rather unconventional.
“I was given the choice of detention or to participate in the (debate) program. I chose debate,” he said with a smile. “I think a lot of the success I have had I owe to the students and my teacher in that program.”
Brown generally focuses on two events each competition season – policy debate and extemporaneous speaking. Policy Debate involves teams of two debating on one topic throughout the season. In extemporaneous speaking, students select one topic about current events at the tournament, and then have 30 minutes to create a speech. In addition to his competition wins the last three years, he has also qualified for the National Forensic League’s National Speech and Debate Tournament for the past three consecutive years.
Brown said one of the most challenging aspects of the last three years in competitive debate has been getting used to new partners in policy.
“I have had four or five partners since I started,” he said. “But I think I have learned a little from every one of them. I can now take what I have learned and use it to groom the younger students in the program.”
As a freshman at Truman High School, Damon Brown had one goal – to win as many debate tournaments as he could.
However, as he grew older, he started thinking less of himself and more of the success of the team.
“I think I am definitely a lot more team-orientated now,” said the senior at Truman High School. “I like to see my teammates win. I like to see us as a team succeed. I think that is more important to me than my own individual success.”
But no one can dispute Brown’s success as a debater for the Truman High School Varsity Speech and Debate Squad. He has been so successful that he has earned enough points, more than 1,900, to rank 32nd in the United States and first in Missouri. Points are accumulated at every tournament. The higher a student places, the more points awarded.
“I was really excited when Ms. (Chris) Adams told me,” he said. “But I really feel like it is more of a reflection of the entire program and not just me. The team and my coaches have helped me to get to this level.”
Brown said he has learned a lot about himself since he started participating in debate as an eighth grader. But his entrance into the program was rather unconventional.
“I was given the choice of detention or to participate in the (debate) program. I chose debate,” he said with a smile. “I think a lot of the success I have had I owe to the students and my teacher in that program.”
Brown generally focuses on two events each competition season – policy debate and extemporaneous speaking. Policy Debate involves teams of two debating on one topic throughout the season. In extemporaneous speaking, students select one topic about current events at the tournament, and then have 30 minutes to create a speech. In addition to his competition wins the last three years, he has also qualified for the National Forensic League’s National Speech and Debate Tournament for the past three consecutive years.
Brown said one of the most challenging aspects of the last three years in competitive debate has been getting used to new partners in policy.
“I have had four or five partners since I started,” he said. “But I think I have learned a little from every one of them. I can now take what I have learned and use it to groom the younger students in the program.”
With one year left in high school, Brown said he is looking toward the future. He said he is not sure if he wants to continue with debate at the collegiate level, but knows that he can use everything he has learned in debate as he moves onto the next phase of his life.
“Sometimes you reach that point where you have accomplished what you have set out to accomplish, and there is nowhere else to go. I think I am at that crossroads now,” he said. “I am planning to visit a couple of schools for debate scholarships. If the situation is right, I will compete, but I haven’t decided yet. Right now I am going to try to win every tournament and go to finals at nationals. Those are my goals right now.”
