Debate Coaching

Stephen Scopa

LD, K Debate, Theory, Philosophy

Scopa has been a debate coach at the highest level for the past 6 seasons. He successfully aids in the operation of one of the largest programs in the country. His students have championed TOC, Harvard, Yale, University of Florida, Berkeley, and Princeton among others. They have achieved over 100 bids to the Tournament of Champions and demonstrate consistent elite performance. Specializes in Philosophy, High Theory, and Theory

Spencer Swickle

Philosophy, Theory, K Debate

Spencer Swickle is Director of Lincoln-Douglas Debate at The Argument Institute. He won the TOC, Harvard, Yale, Sunvite, the Tradition, and FFL States while earning 20 TOC bids. In his first year coaching, he helped guide a student to a TOC championship. Spencer specializes in theory, moral philosophy, and postmodern kritik debate.

Spencer Orlowski

LD, PF, Oratory, Informative, Worlds

Spencer Orlowski is a former national and international champion in NFA LD debate and an educator with more than 15 years of experience teaching students from elementary through graduate school. He works in local government and holds a Master’s degree in Applied Economics and has coached students to national-level success in public speaking, PF, and LD debate. His goal is to help students turn debate skills into real-world tools for business, policy, and leadership.

Mac Hays

PF, Lay Debate, K Debate, Parliamentary

Mac Hays is a former Fulbright Taiwan Debate Coach and Brown University graduate, where he studied International Affairs and Chemistry. He championed several PF tournaments, placed 4th at NSDA Nationals, and later became one of APDA’s top college debaters, finishing top 3 at Nationals three straight years and earning top speaker in 2023. Over five years of coaching, Mac’s students have championed Harvard and Yale and reached finals stages at both TOC and NSDA Nationals.

Mary Abi-Karam

Lay Debate, K Debate, Model UN

Mary Abi-Karam is a junior at Georgetown University studying international politics and philosophy. She debated for five years at American Heritage, earning bids in Public Forum and Lincoln-Douglas and winning the Aaron Thomas Invitational. She also earned third speaker nationally in LD at NSDA Nationals and actively competed in Model UN.

Taeyoung Kim

PF, K Debate, Mock Trial, Moot Court

Taeyoung Kim is a junior at Cornell University studying Government and Philosophy and competing on its Mock Trial Team. She competed in LD, PF, Mock Trial and Moot Court in high school and her honors include a national Moot Court championship, a top-five finish at the National High School Mock Trial Championship, and more than 15 awards.

Zayn Charania

Policy, Lay, Philosophy, Theory

Zayn Charania is a student at Columbia University studying mathematics and financial economics. He quarterfinaled the TOC in PF and qualified to the TOC in LD. In Lincoln-Douglas, Zayn won Yale and the FFL State Championship. Zayn is a passionate mentor who volunteers extensively to help student excel.

Bashir Eltyeb

K Debate, Lay Debate, Theory

Bashir Eltyeb debated for three years at Iowa City West and now competes in college policy debate. He reached semifinals at the TOC twice, earned top speaker, semifinaled at Mid America, while accumulating nine TOC bids. Bashir specializes in kritik debate and is also highly experienced in theory, technical substance, and lay debate.

Gavin Poore

Lay Debate, K Debate, Worlds

Gavin debated for three years at Pines Charter across PF and Worlds. He qualified to the Gold TOC, FFL States, and NSDA Nationals twice, earning speaker awards at Emory, Florida Blue Key, and The Tradition. As a coach, he has guided students to 15+ bids and deep national outrounds, specializing in technical strategy, critical arguments, and lay adaptation.

Advika Sadasivan

World Schools, BP, Lay Debate

Advika was on the USA National Debate team at the World Championships in Serbia. She championed numerous national and international level tournaments including Stanford, UPenn, Blake, Harvard Westlake, LSE Schools, and also reached late outrounds at Harvard, Oxford, and ICYD. She now debates in the BP format at Stanford