LEADERS

Meet our Debate Camp family of leaders, instructors, program developers and real support people!

DEBATE CAMP LEADERSHIP

FOUNDING DIRECTOR - NICK SZYMANIS, Hon BA, B Ed, MA, OCT

Nick Szymanis is the founder and lead director of Debate Camp since 2002. He has been a career educator for 18 years, inclusive of academic leadership positions, most recently as Director of Academics at the Sterling Hall School in Toronto (2010 - 2015). He has coached debating and hosted annual tournaments for the past 18 years and is the current Vice President of the International Independent Schools Public Speaking League. Nick, his wife Oona, and 2 sons, Noah and Aaron, live in Halifax, Nova Scotia where he currently coaches debating at Armbrae Academy and King's Edgehill School.

CAMP DIRECTOR - OONA CRAIG, BA, MA, OCT

Oona Craig has been a career educator for over 15 years; inclusive of Latin teaching positions with Collingwood School in Vancouver and Branksome Hall School in Toronto. Oona holds an MA in Classics from Dalhousie University, BA from McGill and is an Ontario Certified Teacher, with her B Ed from The University of Toronto. Oona is highly experienced in camp life and has been in the company of Debate Camp since our founding in 2002. Our son Noah has attended camp since 2012. In 2023 Oona is directing our Vancouver Debate Camp at York House School.

DEBATE CAMP UNITED STATES

SITE DIRECTOR - ANNA LYONS, BA

Anna Lyons began at Debate Camp as social media manager, program developer, and camp staff. She has been involved in debate since high school, where she began her school’s team, later returned as a coach, and has held many roles in the urban debate sphere ever since. She holds a BA in Linguistics & Political Science from the University of Southern Maine, completing her capstone project in Model UN research and serving as chair for the Maine state conference. She is currently pursuing a Master's degree in Policy, Planning, and Management. Anna took on the role of US Director for Debate Camp in 2023 and will serve as camp director in her hometown of Boston in 2024.

SITE DIRECTOR - DANIEL CAPLIN, BA

Daniel Caplin teaches History and Humanities at his alma mater, Portsmouth Abbey School, and he also helms both the school’s Debate team and their Model UN program. Daniel is a graduate from Providence College, where he received his BA's in History and Theatre, and his MA in History. He has also worked extensively for Portsmouth Abbey’s Summer School, as a teacher, activities coordinator, and as the trips coordinator. Daniel recently received Portsmouth Abbey’s 2023 Dom Peter Sidler Award for excellence in teaching. Daniel and his lovely wife Catherine have two sons, Westley and Walker, a dog named Fagan, and a cat named Duck.

SITE DIRECTOR - MARGARET WHITE, A.B., MFA, Ed.M.

During the school year, Margaret White is a member of the residential faculty at Saint Thomas Choir School, teaching Latin to grades 6-8 and serving as Assistant Director of Enrolment. A lifelong New Yorker, Margaret attended the all-girls’ Brearley School for thirteen years. She holds an A.B. in English from Princeton University, an MFA in Writing for Children and Young Adults from Vermont College of Fine Arts, and an Ed.M. in Learning and Teaching from Harvard University. She came to Debate Camp through Latin Camp, where she has been a virtual instructor since the summer of 2020. Margaret is directing New York camps this summer.

SITE DIRECTOR - ERIN GOLD, BM, M.Ed.

Erin Gold is a career educator with almost 15 years of teaching and coaching experience in Texas, Utah, and Colorado. Her debaters and speakers have won numerous state titles and have cleared out rounds at national tournaments. As a coach, she won the Extemporaneous Speaking Coach of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards from the Utah Debate Coaches Association, and was on the host committee for the National Speech and Debate Association's 2016 championship. She previously taught at camps for Capitol Debate and the Beehive Forensics Institute at the University of Utah. She holds a BA in History and a Masters in Education both from the University of North Texas. Erin is the director for the Seattle Camp this summer.

SITE DIRECTOR - JENNA PENNINGTON, BA, M.Ed.

Jenna Pennington is a teacher and debate coach at King's Edgehill School with over 10 years of teaching and coaching experience. Jenna's debaters have routinely advanced to Canadian National Championships at both the junior and senior level. In 2022, Jenna hosted the International Independent Schools Public speaking tournament with 9 countries represented and over 175 participants. In 2017 / 18 Jenna famously directed our Montreal Debate Camps and in 2023 she will be directing our Winsor School / Longwood location in Boston.

DEBATE CAMP INTERNATIONAL

DIRECTOR INTERNATIONAL - THOMAS TANG, MBA

Thomas Tang is an alumn of the Richard Ivey School of Business at The University of Western Ontario. He currently serves as an executive coach and leadership training consultant for leading businesses organizations in North America and China, alongside lecturing in the alumni division of Shanghai's Jiao Tong University. Thomas and his family live in Oakville, Ontario. In 2022 he is assisting with the continuation of our popular trans-pacific online camps as well as our in-person camps development in Southern Ontario.

DEBATE CAMP PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT

REGIONAL COORDINATOR - PAIGE DAOUST, BA, MA, OCT

Paige Daoust is an Ontario Certified teacher, who holds a Master of Science in Education degree from Niagara University and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology and Social Anthropology from Dalhousie University. For the past 8 years, Paige has been a homeroom teacher in private schools in the GTA. She has been a Debate Camp Director for the Toronto locations since 2018. This year, she will be a Regional Coordinator.

ONLINE COORDINATOR AND SITE DIRECTOR - IRINA ZNAMIROWSKI

Irina Znamirowski is going into her fourth year at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she studies English and Philosophy. Having competed in debate and public speaking for the past ten years, Irina is a former national champion in interpretive reading and a provincial champion in both persuasive speaking and debating. Irina has continued her competitive debate career in university and she is the current president of the Brandeis Debate Society. This is Irina’s fifth summer working with Debate Camp after spending many years as an eager camper. In 2023, Irina will direct both our Toronto Day Camps and our Online Program.

PROGRAM DEVELOPER AND REGIONAL COORDINATOR - KEVIN JAGER, BSc, B Ed

Kevin Jager has been an educator for over 15 years with teaching experience in Ontario, India and Nova Scotia. He is currently teaching at Armbrae Academy in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Kevin holds a Masters in Development Economics from Dalhousie University, a BSc in Mathematics from the University of Toronto, and is an Ontario Certified Teacher with his B Ed from the University of Toronto. In 2019 Kevin directed our Boston Debate Camps. In 2020 and 2021 Kevin leads us in the development of staff training modules for all online and in-person camps.

DEBATE CAMP CANADA

SITE DIRECTOR - TRACEY LEE

With over twenty-five years of coaching and adjudicating experience in the Canadian and international debating circuit, Tracey Lee held the position of World’s Officer with the Canadian Students Debating Federation (CSDF) board for many years. Tracey was a former coach of Team Canada Debate and the Chair of the WSDC Ltd Board that oversees the world championships. In Canada, Tracey was a director on both provincial and national debate Boards. She has been involved with Debate Camp Canada as an Assistant Camp Director since its early years and is currently the Senior School counselling head at Mulgrave School in Vancouver. Tracey is directing several of our Vancouver Debate Camps in 2023

SITE DIRECTOR - JOANNE COLWELL

Joanne Colwell has been an educator for 30 years. She has teaching experience and qualifications in Ontario and Nova Scotia along with experience as a school counsellor. As a school administrator at an independent school in Toronto for over 15 years, she supported many student debaters and coaches and helped sustain school debate programs. Joanne holds a Master of Arts in Urban and Historical Geography from the University of Toronto, a BEd from Dalhousie University and a BA in Geography and History from Mt Allison University.

SITE DIRECTOR - ARGHYA DEV BISWAS ARYAN

Arghya Dev Biswas Aryan is currently serving as the Head of the Speech & Debate program at West Point Grey Academy and resides in Vancouver, BC with his wife, Aparajita. He has been associated with teaching debate and public speaking for more than a decade. As an accomplished adjudicator, Arghya has broken twice at WUDC and once at WSDC. He is well known in the Asian debating circuit as one of the most prolific organizers and has served as Equity officer and TAB director at numerous tournaments as well as adjudicating the grand finals including Australs (Open), UADC (EFL), ASDC (Novice). In 2023, Arghya is directing our Victoria Debate Camp.

SITE DIRECTOR - OLIVIA INTEGLIA

Olivia Integlia has been a staff, program coordinator and camp director for Debate Camp since 2020. She has been active in the debate community for many years now. She was the former president of the Dawson Debate Union and the Concordia Debate Society, and has competed at numerous tournaments across various reputable university institutions, both in english and in french. She has since moved away from competing to focus on sharing her passion with others. Today, she proudly coaches debate for the English Montreal School Board. Olivia is currently completing a double major at Concordia University in political science and journalism. This summer, Olivia will be directing the Montreal and Toronto North camps.

SITE DIRECTOR - DYLAN BURTON

Dylan Burton has worked a variety of positions at Debate Camp, including the roles of intern, staff, program coordinator and, starting this year, director. Dylan began his debate career in grade seven and since then has participated at multiple national and international competitions. He is most proud of being the 2022 BP Canadian National Champion, a finalist at Hart House High Schools 2022, and representing Canada at Oxford and Cambridge. Dylan attends McGill University and is majoring in economics and history. This summer, Dylan is looking forward to coordinate and direct our Vancouver and Calgary Debate Camps.

DEBATE CAMP COMPLIANCE

COMPLIANCE OFFICER - DAIYAM BASHARAT

Daiyam Basharat is a 4th year International Development Studies and Sustainability Studies student at Dalhousie University. He is an experienced debater who has served as the President of the Dalhousie and King’s Debate Society (SODALES) (2021-2022) and Vice-President East of the Canadian University Society of Intercollegiate Debate (CUSID) (2022-2023). Daiyam also serves as a debate coach for one of our in-school debate programs at Armbrae Academy (Halifax, NS).

DEBATE CAMP PROGRAM COORDINATORS

OUR TEAM OF DEBATE CAMP PROGRAM COORDINATORS

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - GRACE DESTEFANO

Grace DeStefano has been a camper, intern, staff member, and program coordinator for Debate Camp. She is president of The Winsor School’s Speech and Debate Team and has competed for four years in the DANEIS debate league. This summer, Grace is excited to be Program Coordinator for the Boston Camps at Roxbury Latin and Winsor.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - LYLA BLACK

Lyla Black started as a camper in 2019 and has since been an intern and program staff at the New York City, Providence, Brunswick, and Nova Scotia locations. She has been involved in debate for 7 years, formerly serving as assistant coach of the Ella Baker School debate team and frequently volunteering with the NYCUDL. Lyla currently attends the Baccalaureate School for Global Education but will starting her freshman year at Brown University this fall, concentrating in American Studies. This year, she will be a Regional Coordinator for the US Northeast as well as Program Coordinator at New York City camps.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - NOAH SZYMANIS

Noah Symanis is a third-year student at Western University, studying Kinesiology. He practically grew up at Debate Camp and capped his debate competitive side in the finals of both the Oxford Cup and the Columbia University Ivy League Invitational. Noah is excited to coordinate at NYC and Seattle this summer!

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - ELISE CRESSATI

Elise Cressatti is entering her fourth year at the University of Toronto studying English, History, and Book & Media Studies. This is her sixth year working with Debate Camp, having interned, staffed, and coordinated camps across the GTA. A former camper herself, Elise loves using her competitive debate experience to help campers think about issues important to them and express their ideas with confidence. She is excited to coordinate our King City, Yorkdale, Toronto South, Toronto North, and Montreal locations this summer!

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - WILLIAM AHERN

William Ahern is a history and political science student at Queen's University. Through his 7 years of debate experience, he has competed at the National and International level and attended multiple MUNs. William has worked at Debate Camp for 3 years and is excited to coordinate Halifax camps this year.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - NIKHIL SHAH

Nikhil Shah will be attending the University of Chicago next year to study political science and business economics. He is currently the co-captain of his high school's debate and Model UN teams and has attended several tournaments both locally and nationally, including the NSDA National Tournament for Policy and Extemporaneous Debate. Nikhil looks forward to joining Debate Camp for a second summer as both a coordinator and staff member in Greenwich, New York City, Seattle, Maine, and Rhode Island.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - KIKYO MAKINO-SILLER

Kiki Makino-Siller has been a camper, intern, staff member, and regional coordinator for debate camp. She is based in New York and has competed debate across the United States for the past six years. She is currently a Public Forum debater through the National Speech and Debate Association, where she has been ranked among the top debaters in her state and across the country. This summer, Kiki is excited to be coordinating New York Debate Camps and joining staff teams across the Northeastern United States. Kiki will be attending the University of California, Berkeley starting this fall.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - EVA HAAN

Eva Haan is a former debate camper and intern program graduate. She is currently pursuing a Psychology and Spanish dual degree at the University of Miami. Eva has 8 years of debate experience and is excited to program coordinate for Providence, Rhode Island this summer.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - ALLISON WANG

Allison Wang is going into her third year of undergrad at Ivey Business School in Western University, pursuing an Honors Business Administration. This is Allison's fifth summer with Debate Camp and she looks forward to sharing her passion. As a former camper, intern graduate, and program staff, Allison is excited to continue her Debate Camp journey at our Montreal, Ottawa, and St. Catharine's camps this summer.

PROGRAM COORDINATOR - JUNE LIN

June Lin will be studying electrical and computer engineering at the University of Toronto next year. This is June's third summer and this summer, and she just finished off my sixth year as a student debater. She loves everything about debate, including competing, judging, and teaching! June will be a Program Coordinator at our Greenwich and New York City locations.

DEBATE CAMP OFFICE TEAM

A REAL OFFICE - WITH REAL PEOPLE TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS

For any of your technical support questions or for more information about any of our programs - meet the team at the other end of our many emails and real phones.

CLIENT SERVICES COORDINATOR - CHARLOTTE MENSFORTH

Charlotte Mensforth has worked with us since 2021 and has been the primary client service coordinator for the past three years. She attends Dalhousie University and is studying Marine Biology and Sustainability.

OFFICE MANAGER - PRARTHOBEE TARIQ

Prarthobee Tariq (Bee) is currently completing her undergraduate studies in Electrical and Computer Engineering at Dalhousie University. She has been a part of Debate Camp for the past year. Bee is currently the vice president for The Dalhousie UNICEF Club, Social Lead for Dalhousie Space Systems, President for Dalhousie Bengali Student Association and a writer for the Dalhousie Gazette.