TM
Classic Debate Camp
Miami University, Ohio - July 15-23, 2023
Bella Willhite
Instructor - Public Forum
Bella Willhite is a rising senior at Regis University studying Economics and Public Policy. In college, Bella competes in British Parliamentary debate, and she and her partner have been recognized as the top team for the Western Debating League (YODL). Bella has won a number of Western League tournaments as well as the Point Loma University’s Sunset Cliffs Classic. In high school, Bella was a four-year Public Forum competitor for La Cueva High School in Albuquerque, New Mexico. She was PF captain during her senior year. Over her career, Bella won two NM state championships, going undefeated both times. Bella is also a two-time national qualifier, in PF and World Schools Debate. FUN FACT: Bella has debated in Poland, Spain, Alaska, and Hawaii… she loves to travel! She traveled to Ohio to attend CDC as a camper in 2018, she was a PF instructor for CDC-V in 2020, and she is really excited to be returning to Ohio for CDC2023!
Luke Wagner
Instructor - Public Forum
Luke Wagner did Public Forum debate for four years. He competed for Perry High School and was a four-time state qualifier. In his junior year, Luke and his partner Brooke were the state champions. In his senior year, they made it to the final round and finished in 2nd place at states. Luke has also qualified to the NSDA national tournament two times. Luke was the Public Forum captain for Perry his senior year, but he has also competed in every NSDA debate category as well as extemporaneous speaking. Outside of debate, Luke enjoys playing guitar, piano, and drums, he composes music, and he performs in gigs across Ohio with his band. He believes in debating like a story-teller and is excited to promote narrative-based strategies this summer at CDC!
Becky Walker
Instructor - Public Forum
Becky Walker was a public forum debater at Laurel School. She debated all four years, qualifying to the Ohio state tournament three years in a row. She served as co-captain of the public forum team during her junior and senior year and also served as middle school coach at Laurel. Outside of debate, she enjoys figure skating, going to coffee shops, and hanging out with friends. She is attending Williams College in the fall. She attended CDC as a camper for two years. She is so excited to join the CDC staff and support a collaborative and fun debate environment.
Abraham Paik
Instructor - Public Forum
Abraham Paik was a Public Forum Debater for University School. He debated for all four years, qualifying to the Ohio state tournament three years in a row. He advanced to the quarterfinals twice and won 2nd place at states in 2021. In addition, Abraham qualified to the NSDA national tournament twice and the Tournament of Champions three times (with a career total of 12 TOC bids). He advanced to the octafinals at the TOC his senior year. Throughout his senior year, one of Abraham's goals was to compete in as many tournament rounds as possible. He surpassed 160 rounds. Other than debate, Abraham loves playing piano and is an Eagle Scout. He is attending Williams College. He attended CDC as a camper twice and joined the CDC staff in 2021. He looks forward to growing the next generation of virtuous victors at CDC. As a private coach, Abraham helped CDC campers Bohan Pan and Eric Fan win the 2023 Missouri state championship in PF!
Ananth Menon
Instructor - Public Forum
Ananth Menon competed for four years in Public Forum debate for University School in Ohio, serving as PF captain his senior year. On the national circuit, Ananth was a three-time qualifier to the Tournament of Champions, amassing 10 career bids. During his junior year, Ananth finished 2nd in PF at the 2021 TOC and reached late elimination rounds in all 13 national circuit tournaments he competed at. In Ohio, Ananth was a four-time qualifier to the state tournament and was named the Northcoast District Student of the Year. During his senior year, Ananth won 1st place at four tournaments: Edison, Mentor, CDC, and Kenston. Outside of debate, Ananth enjoys playing basketball, listening to music, and spending time with friends. Ananth attended CDC for three summers as a camper and was very excited to join the staff in 2022.