We are proud to highlight outstanding alumni like Brenden Brower, a 2011 graduate of Tonganoxie High School. During his time at THS, Brenden was an active member of the debate, forensics, football, and track teams. His debate skills earned him the 2009 4A two-speaker debate championship, with THS teams sweeping the top spots after an impressive semi-final performance, and he consistently earned medals at state and regional competitions. It was also at THS that he met his future wife, Taylor Brower (Clark, Class of 2012), with whom he shares one child. Despite being diagnosed with leukemia during his senior year, Brenden demonstrated continued resilience and determination in his academic and extracurricular pursuits.
After a year of chemotherapy, he began his college journey at Johnson County Community College in 2012, where he was an active member of the Student Senate and served as parliamentarian. He then transferred to Missouri State University in Springfield on a debate scholarship, where he achieved remarkable success, including becoming a Cross-Examination Debate Association Academic All-American in 2017 and qualifying twice for the NDT National Championship. He earned his Bachelor of Science in Socio-Political Communication in 2017 and continued at MSU for his Master’s in Communication Studies while coaching debate and teaching public speaking. He celebrated being cancer-free in 2014 and married Taylor in 2016.
After graduating with his master’s from MSU in 2018, Brenden moved to the NYC Metro area to pursue a law degree at Seton Hall Law School. There, he served as Articles Editor for the Seton Hall Legislative Journal and participated as a Non-Governmental Organizational Observer at JTF Guantanamo in Cuba during the 9/11 trials in Spring 2019. He graduated in 2021 and began his legal career as a law clerk to the Honorable Stewart A. Minkowitz in the Superior Court of New Jersey.
Currently, Brenden serves as an assistant prosecutor at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City, New Jersey, where he prosecutes serious and violent crimes including arson, non-fatal shootings, aggravated assaults, robberies, carjackings, and home invasions. Additionally, he leads the Hudson County Regional Animal Cruelty Task Force.
Brenden credits THS debate coach Steve Harrell with setting him on the path that led to his legal career. “Steve Harrell was a great coach who helped foster my interest in debate,” Brenden says. “Along with assistants Ken Church and Drew Thomas, his coaching and guidance helped build my confidence and skill to the point that I decided I wanted to ‘go pro.’ At that point, I knew I wanted to be a lawyer!”
Further reflecting on Mr. Harrell’s impact on his academic and professional journey, Brenden remarked, “Debate and Forensics…have you spending a LOT of time with your coaches and teammates. I know that without Mr. Harrell helping to guide and mold me through those four years, I would not be anywhere close to where I am today. He deserves tremendous credit and gratitude for building an excellent program that is an immense resource to the students and school.”
Congratulations Brenden, and best wishes for continued success—you make us proud!
Help us recognize other awesome alumni like Brenden by sending an email to socials@tong464.org!