Freshman finds his voice

Brian Ashburn may only be a freshman at South Campus in Brainerd, but he plays with the big dogs when it comes to his debating skills.

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Ashburn, who competed on the varsity and the junior varsity Lincoln-Douglas Debate Team this season, took second place at the section meet Jan. 13, and a week later, he finished with a 3-3 record at the state meet in Rosemount, where he got knocked out of the tournament by the eventual champion.

"This was an awesome feat for Brian as this is his first year in Lincoln-Douglas debate," said David Pritschet, the Brainerd Lincoln-Douglas debate coach.

Ashburn's accomplishments earned him the Fine Arts Student of the Week honor. Following is a question-and-answer session with the freshman.

Brian Ashburn, a freshman at South Campus in Brainerd, posed recently with the trophy he won for taking second place at the section debate meet in January. Ashburn was named Fine Arts Student of the Week for his accomplishments in debate. Brainerd Dispatch/Jennifer Stockinger » Purchase reprints of this photo.

Sounds like you had a great season?

"I was pretty excited to make it to state in Lincoln-Douglas as a freshman. It's a big accomplishment, especially since I was knocked out of the tournament by the winner."

How did the debate season go?

"I didn't do so well in the regular season. I competed in both the varsity and junior varsity teams, and I was still learning. I did qualify for the national qualifiers with a 5-1 record, so that was awesome. Then, in sections, I took second place and I was the only Brainerd student who made it to state. I was more excited that I made it to state as a freshman than being the only student from Brainerd."

What interested you in joining debate?

"I joined when I was an eighth-grader because my friend, Jenna Riley, was in it. She told me I was good at arguing so I joined. It's fun.

"Jenna and I are the only freshman who qualified for nationals. Only two students in the district can qualify so it was pretty exciting to beat out the seniors."

You're good at arguing?

"I have a tight group of friends who are very opinionated and we discuss a lot of current events. I also argue with my parents. I like to argue. I look at both sides of an issue, which is good because you need to do that in debate."

Why Lincoln-Douglas debate?

Brian Ashburn

Art focus: Lincoln-Douglas debate.

Art activities: Debate, band, choir, speech and Knowledge Bowl.

Year: Freshman.

Age: 14.

GPA: 4.0.

Most memorable fine arts achievements: Qualifying for the National Forensic League qualifying tournament set June 17-22 in Wichita, Kan., and earning 3-3 at the state debate meet.

Artist most admired: Leonardo da Vinci.

Favorite TV programs: "CSI" and "Grey's Anatomy."

Favorite movies: "The Da Vinci Code," and "Cars."

Favorite food: Cereal.

Favorite book: "Deception Point" by Dan Brown.

Parents: Barbara and Floyd Ashburn of Brainerd.

"I started in public forum because that's where Mr. Pritschet wanted all the novices to start. I was partners with Stephanie Northway, who's a year younger than me. I liked public forum a lot and I was reluctant to do Lincoln-Douglas, but once I got into it, it was way more fun than public forum. I got into Lincoln-Douglas because Mr. Pritschet thought I'd be good at it. He converted a bunch of us to Lincoln-Douglas. We all worked together researching the topics and we supported each other at tournaments."

What topics have you done?

"Our first topic was about providing health care to citizens. The second was whether a victim's deliberate use of deadly force is a just response to repeated domestic violence. The third topic I debated at the section and state meets. It was if the actions of corporations ought to be held to the same moral standards as the actions of individuals."

Honorable mention:

Taylor Anderson, senior, mock trial: Anderson plays a witness on the mock trial team. In a recent competition, Anderson earned nine out of 10 points from both judges, and after the trial, they commented that he did an excellent job, Anderson's mock trial adviser said.

Sara Swenson, senior, debate: Swenson is one of the captains of the debate team this year. Last year, she qualified for nationals, and this year, she took second place in the individual division at state in public forum.

JENNIFER STOCKINGER can be reached at jennifer.stockinger@brainerddispatch.com or 855-5851.