TM
Classic Debate Camp
Miami University, Ohio - July 12-20, 2025
Peter Paik
Camp Director
Peter Paik is the coach of the George School speech and debate team in Pennsylvania. He was the head coach of the University School (Ohio) team for 18 years. Mr. Paik was inducted into the Ohio Speech and Debate Association Coaches Hall of Fame in 2020. (See the induction speeches here.) His Public Forum debate team won the NSDA national championship in 2010. Under his leadership, University School won the NSDA School of Excellence in Debate Award eight times. Mr. Paik's teams have also been successful at the state level, winning the Ohio state championship in PF five times. In 2016 Mr. Paik and Mr. James Lewis launched Classic Debate Camp at Kenyon College with Leslie Muhlbach, Aidan Brandt, and Edith Lui. Mr. Paik is committed to sharing his expertise and his vision for the debate community with everyone.
Leslie Muhlbach
Assistant Camp Director
Leslie Muhlbach most recently coached speech and debate at Gahanna Lincoln High School, where she also taught speech and debate classes. She began her coaching career as an assistant coach at Massillon Washington and then became the head coach at Jackson. During her tenure at Jackson, she built her program into a powerhouse that won numerous district championships and claimed two OSDA team sweepstakes titles. In 2012, Ms. Muhlbach's public forum team won the Ohio state championship and her Lincoln-Douglas debater won 2nd place at the NSDA national tournament. In 2014, Ms. Muhlbach was inducted into the OSDA Coaches Hall of Fame. She believes that debate is the best way to teach young people the listening and speaking skills they need to become collaborative, ethical, and productive problem-solvers.
Tonja Fangman
Camp Nurse
Tonja Fangman is from Oxford, Ohio. Tonja graduated from Miami University in 2014 with her Bachelors of Science in Nursing and from Wright State University in 2017 with her certification in School Nursing. She is currently the District Nurse for the Talawanda School District in Oxford. She works daily with students in grades preschool through high school. Tonja is married and has three children as well as a beagle named Sadie. In her free time, she enjoys boating, camping, reading, and spending time with her family. At Classic Debate Camp, Tonja looks forward to providing any needed medical care to campers and helping them to have a healthy, fun-filled week!
Emily de Jong
Residential Programs Director
Emily de Jong teaches history and coaches Congressional Debate at Olentangy Liberty High School near Columbus, Ohio. She attended Upper Arlington High School. She earned her Honors undergraduate degree in Political Science and History at the Ohio State University and completed a Master of Education in Integrated Social Studies also at OSU. When she was in college and graduate school, Emily coached Upper Arlington's Mock Trial and Moot Court Teams. In Mock Trial, she helped her team to advance to state-level competitions twice. In Moot Court, she coached one Finalist and two State Champions. In her free time, Emily enjoys participating in outdoor activities like backpacking, rock climbing, cycling, and Ultimate Frisbee. She is also a mother to one orange cat named Benji. She looks forward to meeting all of the talented young debaters and is excited to watch their critical thinking skills blossom at camp.