Camp Faculty

Summer Camp Leadership & Faculty

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  Abigail S.

  Assistant Director

  See Bio

  Coach Abigail is an accomplished coach and debate competitor who aims to help Potomac students reach their full potential. With her extensive experience across all debate events, Abigail qualified for nationals every year, won multiple state championships and national titles, and ranked among the top 10 competitors worldwide by the National Speech and Debate Association. As a coach, Abigail is passionate about mentoring young people and gives back to the community by volunteering for the national urban debate league. She judges and coaches almost every weekend for the nonprofit organization Chicago Debates, where she was awarded the prestigious “New Coach of the Year” award. Abigail firmly believes that debate education shapes students’ academic futures, as she has personally experienced the benefits of her own competitive spirit in both tournaments and university studies. She holds a Master’s degree in Social Science (Psychology) from the University of Chicago, and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Forensic Psychology and Sociology, all of which she obtained before the age of 20.

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  Jessica B.

  Academy Manager

  See Bio

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  Katie H.

  Director

  See Bio

  Coach Katie is the Director of Operations for Potomac Debate. As a debater and coach, her and her students have received state and national accolades in various activities including debate and speaking events. Previously, Katie was a coach for the Intercollegiate Debate Team at the University of Kentucky, where she also was an Associate Director and Outreach Coordinator for high school and college outreach programs. After receiving her B.S. in Political Science, Katie co-founded a debate organization dedicated to providing resources for students in need. Throughout her career, Katie has been the director for over half a dozen in person and online debate camps, has coached students in nearly every state, and helped thousands of students find their voice.

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  Lars D.

  Lead Debate Coach

  See Bio

  Coach Lars is an aspiring Neuroscience major from the University of Texas at Austin, projected to graduate in Spring 2025. With years of coaching and debating experience, Lars specializes in narrative summary strategy, efficient case construction, and judge adaptation. As a competitor, he achieved impressive feats, including qualifying for NSDA nationals each year, reaching quarters at TFA State and NDCA Nationals, earning three gold bids in his senior year, and securing top placements in various local and national competitions. Lars’ coaching philosophy emphasizes simplifying complex arguments into clear, nuanced messages, crucial in Public Forum where flexibility and adaptability are key. His favorite aspect of coaching is witnessing students’ growth, both in competitive success and in overcoming public speaking fears. Apart from coaching, Lars is a talented jazz pianist, enjoys playing soccer, running, and volunteers as an EMT.

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  Mahek A.

  Assistant Debate Coach

  See Bio

  Coach Mahek is currently pursuing a double major degree in Finance and Information Systems at Indiana University. Prior to coaching, she competed for four years at Palatine High School, where she served as captain for two years. As a competitor, Mahek was a PF Octafinalist at the Illinois High School State Association tournament, qualified to the NSDA National Tournament, and a finalist at the Illinois Debate Community State Championship. Her favorite part of coaching is seeing kids grow into themselves throughout debate, as it is more than just arguing, but an art of persuasion. Outside of coaching, Mahek enjoys playing board games like Monopoly, dabbling in photography, and golfing. She also hosts her own podcast and is an avid Star Wars fan—her Labrador is even named Obi-Wan! Mahek volunteers with Morgan’s Message and packs food for underprivileged communities in her community.

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  Ruby M.

  Lead Debate Coach

  See Bio

  Coach Ruby has taught with Potomac Debate Academy since 2021. A former competitor for Westridge School, Ruby qualified to the NSDA National Tournament and Tournament of Champions in Domestic Extemp, Impromptu, and Public Forum. They succeeded at major tournaments, including championing Jack Howe and semi-finaling at the California State Championship. Their students have qualified to the TOC, advanced to elimination rounds, and won speaker awards. Ruby believes that all students approach this activity with different natural and acquired skills, and students have a lot to learn from one another. They believe that, ultimately, speech and debate is about communicating your ideas as clearly and effectively as possible, and we can learn from all the different people in our classes what kinds of communication are effective. Ruby is currently pursuing an Elementary Education and Spanish Dual Degree at American University. They are involved in mutual aid, the Disabled Student Union, and are a teacher’s assistant. Outside of debate, they enjoy cooking and baking, and their two cats.

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  Sasha C.

  Lead Debate Coach

  See Bio

  Coach Sasha competed for four years Princeton High School, earning a total of nine career bids. As a competitor, they won awards at many prestigious tournaments including semifinals at the NJ State Championship and Columbia University, octofinals at University of Pennsylvania, quarterfinals at Sunvite and Cypress, championing Pennsbury Falcon twice, double octofinals at Harvard and Yale, as well as 6th speaker at the Tournament of Champions (Gold). Sasha has coached for years, including at NSD, VBI, NOVA Debate, and more. Sasha views debate as a tool for mastering strategic thinking and communication. Their coaching philosophy focuses on teaching students skills that not only help them excel in debate but also equip them to tackle academic and real-world challenges with confidence. Sasha is currently studying mathematics at Harvard University. Outside of debate, Sasha enjoys solving sudoku puzzles, playing the guitar, and reading nonfiction. They are also deeply passionate about addressing educational inequality, having created STEM programs that have positively impacted over 300 students in their community.

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  Thomas D.

  Lead Debate Coach

  See Bio

  Coach Thomas is currently pursuing a dual degree in Finance and Government & Politics from the University of Maryland, where he competes in parliamentary debate and is the elected debate team president. Prior to competing at UMD, he competed at Wilde Lake High School where he broke records for his high school debate team. His passion for debate encouraged him to continue with the activity even after high school, as he has been actively involved in the debate community as a team leader, coach, and judge. Thomas has won significant debate awards including reaching the NSDA Metro final round and 2024 APDA National Qualifier. As a coach, his philosophy centers on his belief that debate should be exciting, enjoyable, relevant, and rewarding for each of his students. This doesn’t mean winning rounds (though that can certainly be part of it) but developing one’s character and numerous other skills that are improved through debate. Thomas is also actively involved in his community as a peer mentor for UMD Scholars Program, working on the E-Board of Collegiate Debate Club, and more. Outside of debate, he enjoys reading a wide variety of genres, keeping up with current events, and hiking.