Highland High debate expert wins Distinguished Student Award

Josh Mansfield has been in debate his entire high school career. He’s passionate about it.

“I enjoy the opportunity to teach somebody something new,” Mansfield said.

Debate has shaped Mansfield’s dreams and goals when it comes to a career. He wants to major in international relations.

“I’ve spent the past four years in debate, competing in international contemporaneous speaking so I’ve done a lot with foreign politics,” Mansfield said. “I’ve learned a lot about it, and I’d like to do something that would be meaningful in helping other people.”

One of the biggest honors for someone involved in debate is to be invited to the big national tournament each year.

“It’s very rare for a freshman to qualify for nationals,” Mansfield said. “My coach told me if you enter international extemporaneous speaking, and you practice every single day, you will make it to nationals.”

Mansfield made it and has been invited back every year since then. Only about 30 debaters in the entire nation get that four year award each year . Academically, he’s ranked number one in a class of 327 seniors.

“If you make academics an important part of your life and you do well in academics, other parts of your life will benefit,” Mansfield said.

Besides focusing on grades, Mansfield recommends extracurricular activities.

“Don’t pick extracurricular activities because they look good on a college resume. Do them, because you love them,” Mansfield said.