Karina Brown

Ascend California - Congressional Debate Junior Instructor

Karina Brown is a senior at the Dreyfoos School of the Arts in West Palm Beach, Florida, where she concentrates in Communications. Her performance background goes back further though — before Dreyfoos, she trained as a Theatre major at BAK Middle School of the Arts. That foundation in storytelling, stage presence, and knowing how to hold a room has never really left her, and it shows in the way she competes.

Involved in Speech and Debate for 6 years, Karina has experience in both Congressional Debate and World Schools, navigating a wide range of formats, rooms, and judging panels along the way. Her accolades include a 7th place finish at the Harvard National Invitational, Top 10 at Blue Key in 2024, Top 8 in Florida in 2025, and three Sunvite Final Round appearances.

As an Ascend alumna, Karina knows firsthand what it looks like to take what you learn and actually apply it when it counts. She believes the most effective debaters aren't the ones who sound the most polished — they're the ones who've done the hard work of figuring out what they actually want to say, and how they want to say it. With a background spanning theatre, multiple debate formats, and years of high-level competition, she's excited to help students find their own voice and make it impossible to ignore.

Outside of debate, you'll find Karina in a mock trial courtroom, out on a run, baking something, planning her next trip, or perfecting the art of the between-round nap.