WHO IS AT THE HELM FOR WINTER ONLINE DEBATE CAMP?
Meet the Online Winter Debate Camp
coaches and staff!
Alyson Nishimura
Hi! My name is Alyson, and I am a Junior at California Baptist University majoring in Accounting and minoring in Computer Science and Entrepreneurship. I participated in Stoa for six years and currently compete in collegiate forensics in debate and limited prep events. I enjoy coaching limited prep, platform speeches, LD, and Parli. My coaching philosophy is that Stoa is a training ground for the future. Something my parents always told me is that while I should play to win, if I lose, that's perfectly fine as well. All that matters is that I gave it my best effort. Consequently, the mentality I hope to convey through my coaching is that while we work hard leading up to the tournament, once we get there, we surrender the results to God. My primary goal is to teach the necessary skills to speak boldly to change the world for Christ. Competitive success usually follows once we have our heart in the right place, but it is secondary to glorifying God.
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Joshua
Lee
Joshua Lee competed in nine speech events and three debate events throughout his time in Stoa. As a senior, he won first place in various tournaments in Apologetics, Impromptu, Original Oratory, Persuasive, Lincoln Douglas Debate, and Lincoln Douglas Speaker. At the National Invitational Tournament of Champions (NITOC), Joshua competed in eight speech and debate events, broke to outrounds in both speech and debate, and made it to finals in Extemporaneous speaking. In the 2023-2024 season, Joshua ranked tenth in the nation overall. It is Joshua's goal to glorify God in all that he does, using his skills gained in Stoa to further God's kingdom and to train others to be better speakers for Christ. Joshua is a freshman at Grove City College, studying Electrical Engineering. His other interests include tennis, piano, and amateur radio.
Daniel
Boyle
Daniel Boyle competed in Stoa for five years. He did every category of speech and debate events, with his favorites being Team Policy debate, Parliamentary debate, Apologetics, Extemporaneous, and Impromptu. He went to three consecutive NITOCs and broke at all three. He won Extemporaneous at the Concordia challenge in 2023 and won three consecutive Team Policy tournaments during the year. In his senior year at NITOC he and his partner made it to finals in Parliamentary debate and he was also a finalist in Impromptu. Daniel is now double majoring in Theology and Business at Concordia University, Irvine, as well as competing on the Forensics team there. He competes in IPDA, NPDA, and won a national championship in Public Forum with his partner in his freshman year, and has won two tournaments this year.
DeEtte Sprimont
Coach Sprimont has been involved in Stoa since 2010. She coaches Voyagers speech and debate team and is administrative staff for all Helmsmen Institute camps. She coaches all levels of Lincoln Douglas and Parliamentary debate, and any speech event. Her approach to coaching is based on a growth mindset, and a recognition of the student's purpose and goals. She is picky about words. Coach Sprimont lives to serve, honor and glorify God.