TM
Classic Debate Camp
Miami University, Ohio - July 15-23, 2023
Praveen Kumar
Instructor - Extemporaneous Speaking
Praveen Kumar attended Hawken School, where he competed in Extemporaneous Speaking for four years. He captained the Extemp team his junior year and was president of the Hawken team his senior year. He qualified to states four times and made final round his junior and senior years, placing 4th and 3rd. He competed on the national circuit and broke to the semis or finals of Sunvite, Yale, Emory, Bronx, and Harvard. He placed in the top 30 at NSDA Nationals last year. Praveen enjoys playing tennis and watching sports with his friends in his free time. Praveen was a CDC camper in 2019, and he is excited to return as an instructor in 2022.
Kasey Pukys
Instructor - Extemporaneous Speaking
Kasey Pukys competed in International Extemporaneous Speaking at Perry High School for three years and was a three-time state qualifier in IX. During her senior year, Kasey became Perry High School's first Speech and Debate President, won seven tournaments across the state, and became the Ohio State Champion in IX. Additionally, she qualified for the NSDA national tournament twice, once in World Schools Debate and once in Congressional Debate. Kasey is now attending Case Western Reserve University, where she is majoring in economics and international studies with a minor in the Russian language. In her free time, Kasey sings with Dhamakapella, CWRU's award-winning South Asian Fusion A Cappella Team. She believes that Extemp and Congress develop essential communication skills, critical thinking, and a global perspective that goes beyond speech and debate. Kasey helped to launch the first Extemp-Congress lab at CDC in 2019, and she is very excited to work with CDC campers again this summer!
Mary Paydock
Instructor - Congressional Debate
Mary Paydock competed in Congressional Debate for two years at Northwest High School. She was a two time semi-finalist in Congress at the Ohio state tournament and a two time national qualifier. Mary won the Eastern Ohio National Qualifier her senior year. She helped her school form their speech and debate team and served as the President her junior and senior year. Mary is attending the Ohio State University and plans to study Philosophy, Politics, and Economics and Music Performance! Mary is excited to support the development of speaking and critical thinking skills in students at CDC this year!
Garth Woodson
Instructor - Congressional Debate
Garth Woodson competed in speech and debate at Perry High School. After graduating, he volunteered with the Perry team and served as an assistant coach for 5 years, focusing mainly on Congressional Debate and Lincoln-Douglas debate. He coached multiple state finalists and assisted dozens of students to make it to the national tournament. He helped the Perry Speech and Debate team win the state championship in team sweepstakes points three years in a row. Garth graduated from The University of Akron School of Law in 2020. He is excited to expand the Congressional Debate division at CDC this year and looks forward to helping students to communicate their beliefs and hone their craft.
