PEOPLE

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 2019, Oona directed our King City and Nova Scotia Overnight Debate Camps.

DEBATE CAMP UNITED STATES

DIRECTOR UNITED STATES - KELSEY SCHOTT, BA, MA

Kelsey Schott recently completed a Master's Degree in Communication Studies from Ball State University in May 2021. At BSU, Kelsey coached Parliamentary and NEDA debate and taught public speaking. Kelsey completed her undergraduate education at Simpson College with degrees in Political Science and Religious Studies. Simpson College was the 2016 and 2018 Pi Kappa Delta national champion debate team while Kelsey was a parliamentary debater. In 2021, Kelsey directed New York City, Boston, and Providence Debate Camps. She is now the regional manager for our US camps and administers our new US Office in Brunswick, Maine.

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 - SARAH ZAITLIN

Sarah Zaitlin is in her second year at Carleton University in Ottawa, where she studies Criminology. Sarah is an avid member of her university debate club, serving this year as Vice-President Internal and a member of the Tournament Selection Committee. This is Sarah’s third year working with Debate Camp, having taught in four Western Canadian cities in 2019. She is excited to meet new campers and to see our debate program continue to develop in the new digital landscape. In 2022, Sarah will coordinate recruitment, program and staff development for our camps in Western Canada and the United States.

REGIONAL COORDINATOR - JARREN FEFER

Jarren Fefer is in his third year at McGill University, where he majors in Psychology. A former Provincial Champion, Jarren has debated in competitions across the country and the world, and was ranked Top Speaker at the Heart of Europe Debate Championship. Jarren has worked at Debate Camp for three years, and is currently coordintating our Eastern Canadian Debate Camps. He loves helping our more shy campers discover that they too can have strong voices. In 2022, Jarren will coordinate recruitment, program and staff development for our camps in Eastern Canada.

ONLINE COORDINATOR - IRINA ZNAMIROWSKI

Irina Znamirowski is going into her second year at Brandeis University in Waltham, Massachusetts, where she studies English and Philosophy. Having competed in debate and public speaking for the past eight years, Irina is a former national champion in interpretive reading and a provincial champion in both persuasive speaking and debating. This is Irina’s third summer working with Debate Camp after spending many years as an eager camper. Irina is excited to translate the same engaging and thought-provoking environment that she loved as a camper to the online format. In 2022, Irina will coordinate our Online Debate, Speech, and Model United Nations Camps.

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DEBATE CAMP TEACHER DEVELOPMENT

PROGRAM DEVELOPER - 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.

PROGRAM DEVELOPER - ALTHEA BENLOSS, BA, MA

Althea Benloss graduated from Teachers College, Columbia University in 2017, where she earned her Master’s Degree in Elementary Inclusive Education & Teaching Children with Disabilities. She is currently a 4th grade Teacher in New York City. Althea brought her debate skills, gained during High School and College, to her Elementary School where she was appointed the Debate Coach for the school’s first-ever Debate Team. She worked with Debate Camp as an online instructor in the Summer of 2020 and is now assisting with Teacher Development.

DEBATE CAMP CANADA

SITE DIRECTOR - GRIFFEN DAOUST, BAH, MA, OCT

Griffen Daoust is an Ontario Certified Teacher who has been teaching in The York Junior School in Toronto, Ontario for the past 3 years. Prior to, he received his BAH in Sociology at Queen's University, then went onto receive his MA in Child Study and Education at The University of Toronto (OISE). Griffen has had 10+ years of camp experience in both overnight and day camp settings. He has directed Debate Camps in Toronto, Ottawa and Vancouver. In 2021, Griffen lead our teams in Montreal and Ottawa.

SITE DIRECTOR - 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 6 years, she has been teaching Grades 5 and 6 at Pickering College, and abroad in London, England. Paige has had over 14 years of camp experience, with serval years in program coordinator and camp directing roles. In 2018 to 2021 Paige ably directed all of our camps throughout the Toronto region

SITE DIRECTOR - NICK MORROW

Nick Morrow currently studies law at Queen's Faculty of Law with an interest in commercial litigation. Nick has taught at, and coordinated over 30 debate camps across North America, and has coached a school team to a Provincial championship and a National semi finals. He himself has competed at the World Championships, and has been in National final rounds several times. In 2021 Nick was our site director for Vancouver and Victoria in person camps.

DEBATE CAMP COMPLIANCE

COMPLIANCE OFFICER - CHRIS ABRAHAM, B Sc

Chris Abraham has nine years of experience debating, coaching debate and working for Debate Camp. While attending Dalhousie University he won the 2018 Atlantic Canadian Debate Championships, where he was also the top speaker. He graduated from Dal in 2018, earning a BSc with majors in Chemistry and Philosophy. Chris has worked with Debate Camp since 2017. He has worked at camps as a Program Staff member and Intern Coordinator. Since 2018 he has worked at our office as a Compliance Officer, focusing most recently on meeting the accreditation requirements of the Canadian and American Camping Associations.

DEBATE CAMP PROGRAM STAFF 2021

OUR TEAM OF DEBATE CAMP INSTRUCTORS

Ready to Inspire! These highly qualified young people, many of whom have worked with us in several summers and / or graduated from our programs in the not-so-distant past are now joining us online for 2021. All have been privy to the development of some outstanding teaching resources and program tools and are trained and eager for work with you in our educational setting - direct to you! For individual bios - scroll over each to learn more:

SAFE GUARDING: All Debate Camp Staff are bound by and annually trained according to Debate Camp Best Practices for Work with Youth Guidelines (informed from American and Canadian Camping Association criterion for staff training and youth protection).

CATHERINE WANG

Studies International Development at McGill University
8 years of public speech & debate experience
Two-time Vancouver Debate Champion
current Program Instructor for our debut of speech.camp online programming
current Program Staff with our 2021 Online Debate Camps

KIRAN BASRA

Has debated for 7 years and coached for 4 years
Is pursuing a Joint Honours in Philosophy and Political Science at McGill University
Was the Top Novice Speaker at the North American Debate Championships
Will be representing McGill at the World Universities Debating Championship this summer
current Program Staff with our 2021 Online Debate Camps and Speech.Camp

ALLISON WANG

former Debate Camp camper and Intern Program graduate
Started out as a camper with Debate Camp for over 5 years and completed 2 years as an intern at Debate Camp
An incoming student at Western University, studying Health Science with an Advanced Entry Opportunity into the Ivey Business School
current Program Staff with our 2021 Online Debate Camps

JONATHAN MA

former Debate Camp camper and Intern Program graduate
Studying anatomy and cell biology and McGill University
Four years of competitive debate experience
Has been coaching local youth debate for three years
current Program Staff with our 2021 Online Debate Camps

NATANIA OLUSANYA

Currently 4th year student in Public Affairs and Policy Management at Carleton University
3+ years of debating experience (competing, adjudicating and coaching)
2x North American Women and Gender Minority Debating Championship finalist
Semi-finalist 2021 Canadian Parliamentary Nationals
current President of Canadian University Society for Intercollegiate Debate

LACHLAN HOLBROOK

Has been doing debate for 4 years
Currently studying at UWC Pearson College
Attended C.S.D.F National Debating Seminar
Qualified for bilingual regional tournament
current Program Staff at our Vancouver in-person Debate Camp

ANWYN DIAKUW

Member of Team Canada 2018, debated at Worlds in Croatia
Loves debating IR, Social Justice, and Media motions
5th year coaching debate
current Program Developer of our educational resources for online Debate Camps [instructional videos} and our teacher.camp staff training portal.

GRACE GALLANT

former Debate Camp camper and Intern Program graduate
Studying economics at University of Western Ontario
has competed in Debate and Public Speaking at provincial, national and international level competitions
lead mentor with the King's Edgehill School Debate Team
current Coordinator for our Online Intern Program
current Program Staff at our Halifax in-person Debate Camp

MAJA GRANDINETTI

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Second year student at University of British Columbia studying political science
6 years of international debate experience
Enjoys hearing kids stories and watching them make strides in public speaking
current Program Coordinator for our Vancouver and Victoria in-person Debate Camps

PETER KOUZOVNIKOV

First year Economics student at Carleton University
Experience competing in provincial, national, and international tournaments in CP, BP, and Worlds-style
Former Captain of Halifax West High School's Debate Team
current Program Staff at our Halifax in-person Debate Camp

OLIVIA ANDERSON

attends McGill University in Montreal
Has debated on the university circuit this year with the same partner she went to her first high school tournament with
current Program Staff at our Montreal and Providence in-person Debate Camps
Program Developer for Debate Camp Francais program

KAITLIN MAY WONG

Debate Camp Intern Program graduate
Currently studying in a Double DEC (Science and Music) at Vanier College
Was Assistant Crisis Director for Vanier's 2021 Model UN conference
Former assistant coach for the Junior Debate club at West Island College
current Program Staff at our Montreal in-person Debate Camp

ESHAN CHEEMA

Has been coaching with debate camp both in person and online for the last 2 years
Currently studying Biochemistry and Philosophy at the University of British Columbia
Won the Lord Dorchester Cup in 2019
VP Finance for the UBC Debate Society
An avid barbecuer and loves reading in his spare time.
current Program Staff with our 2021 Online Debate Camps

OLIVA INTEGLIA

studying Political Science with a major in Journalism at Concordia University
Top 3 at the Championnat National de Débat Français in 2019 and broke to finals at Quebec Round Robin (university circuit)
Debate coach for the English Montreal School Board
Program Developer for Debate Camp Francais program
current Program Staff at our Montreal in-person Debate Camp

CATHERINE MA

former Debate Camp camper and Intern Program graduate
Currently planning to study psychology at the University of Toronto
Finalist at French Nationals
Coaches middle schoolers as part of the Kanata Youth Debate Club
current Program Staff with our 2021 Online Debate Camps

MIHAI COVASER

former Debate Camp camper
attends UBC Okanagan for Philosophy, Politics and Economics
Winner of the inaugural Worlds Schools Online Debate Championships with Kelowna Senior Secondary team, 2020
Representative for the Southern Interior at the Law Foundation Cup, 2021
current Program Staff at our Vancouver in-person Debate Camps

ALEX MINTZ

former Debate Camp camper and Intern Program graduate
Studying Commerce at the University of British Columbia
Was junior finalist at UOttawa and Carleton
Was co-president of the Colonel By Debate Club
current Program Staff with our 2021 Online Debate Camps

KYLE CHEN

former Debate Camp camper and Intern Program graduate
Has been interning at debate camp for 2 years, counselor for 1 year
Studying economics at University of Western Ontario
Was the president of school club (Bayview Debate)
current Program Staff at our Toronto North and Toronto South in-person Debate Camps

CAROL GUO

Studying International Economics at Western University
4 years of competitive debate experience
Placed in the Top 10 speakers at Nationals this year
current Program Instructor for our debut of speech.camp online programming

LAUREN KIM

Studying Architecture at McGill University
Former Vice President of Finance of the Marianopolis Debate Society
7 years competitive debate experience
Novice Champion at the 2019 British Parliamentary Championships
current Program Staff at our Montreal and Providence in-person Debate Camps

PATRICK COWLEY

Fourth year with Debate Camp
Served as the 176th President of the Queen's Debating Union, the oldest debate society in Canada
Has attended the World Universities Debating Championship twice, once in South Africa and again in Thailand
Is currently completing a Masters of Arts at Queen's University
current Program Developer for Philosophy.Camp and Politics.Camp
current Logistics Field Manager for Canadian in-person Debate Camps

CHANTAL ELIAS

Second year student at Dartmouth College studying International relations, Climate Science
Leads the Dartmouth Model UN team
Third year working at Debate Camp Canada
current Program Staff with our 2021 Online Debate Camps
current Program Staff Interview Lead for US staff and intern candidates

EAMON ROACH

Started debating at 12 years old
attends The University of Toronto
Has been a finalist at provincial, national and international level debate tournaments, including CSDF Nationals and Oxford Cup
current Program Staff at our Halifax in-person Debate Camp

NATHAN FELTMATE

former Debate Camp camper and Intern Program graduate
Student at University of Toronto studying International Relations and Classical Civilizations
Has competed in Provincial and International competitions across North America for both Debate and Model United Nations
current Program Staff at our Toronto North and Toronto South in-person Debate Camps

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.

LOGISTICS MANAGER - CLAIRE MERCER

Claire Mercer has completed her third year at Dalhousie University, where she studies Political Science and History. She is currently the President of the Dalhousie Undergraduate Political Science Society. Claire supports Debate Camp through providing additional tech support and coordinates much of the logistics for the camp, including camp groups, certificates, and payroll!