Our staff is made up of experienced coaches, accomplished competitors, and dedicated mentors who are passionate about developing both skill and character in every student.
Each instructor brings a depth of knowledge in argumentation, strategy, and communication, while also investing personally in the growth and confidence of each camper. At Rhetoric in the Rockies, we are committed not only to teaching students how to win rounds, but how to think clearly, speak persuasively, and engage others with integrity.
Steven Vaughan - Camp Director/Head Coach
Steven Vaughan, the president of Monument Publishing, has found that personal and professional success and satisfaction is no accident. It comes through the choices we make—and sometimes those choices are made early in life.
Through his work coaching students in speech and debate, Steven has realized the value of discipline, critical thinking, and communication skills that are learned by his students. Monument exists to support Christian homeschool parents and their children as they explore ways to develop students’ ability to communicate effectively.
Alyssa Hayes – Camp Director/Head Coach
Alyssa Hayes began her Stoa journey in 2014 alongside her oldest of ten children and has since developed a deep passion for coaching students in speech and debate. She serves as the Head Coach of RESOLVE Speech and Debate Club in Colorado Springs, where she equips students to grow in argumentation, strategic thinking, and confident communication.
Alyssa graduated from the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs with an emphasis in pre-med and has been actively involved in leadership development across the community. She is a former Prudential Youth Leadership Coach, a graduate of the Center for Creative Leadership’s Community Leadership Program, and a previous director of multiple Classical Conversations Challenge levels. She also contributes to the Stoa community through her work on the Debate Committee.
In addition to her work in education, Alyssa is the COO and co-owner of a landscape design and construction company, specializing in logistics and marketing. She is passionate about helping students grow in both skill and character, and is grateful to be part of the Stoa community.
Colleen Enos - Head Coach
Mrs. Enos co-founded Resolve Speech and Debate in 2017. She coached all speech
events and Parliamentary Debate for 17 years until her retirement in 2024. She
served on the national STOA USA Debate Committee for 7 years and was the Debate
Chair from 2021-2023.
Mrs. Enos became interested in Speech and Debate while lobbying for Right to Life
of Wyoming. She participated in live campus debates and televised debates. Mrs.
Enos is currently the Director of Government Relations for Christian Home
Educators of Colorado, tracking and advocating on legislation that affects all
homeschooling families. She holds a BS in Business Administration and is a certified
Paralegal.
Mrs. Enos is passionate about seeing young people grow up to be persuasive,
winsome communicators that spread the truth of Christ in the current culture.
All the eight Enos children have competed in Speech and Debate beginning in 2004
and ending in 2024, a timespan of two decades.
Jeff Eschen - Head Coach
Jeff Eschen lives in Carson City, Nevada, with his wonderful wife Jessica and their eight children, three of whom have graduated from Stoa. He has been involved with Stoa since 2012, initially as a community judge before becoming a Stoa parent in 2014. Jeff, alongside his twin brother and sister-in-law, are coaches for the club Ag & Au (Silver and Gold), which they have been leading for the past fours years. Jeff currently serves on the Stoa Board of Directors.
Mary Winther - Head Coach
Mary Winther is the Director of Education at the Institute for Principle Studies, based in
Modesto CA. Mary’s late husband Mike, founded IPS in 2005 with the purpose of teaching government, economics, and education from a Biblical perspective.
Mary received her degrees in secondary education and political science. Speech and Debate have been an integral part of Mary’s education both in high school and college. Mary was one of the founders of Stoa and has served in various roles including the board of directors and chair of the Stoa debate committee. She also helped develop Logos Forensics Association, a speech and debate league for private Christian schools. Mary also speaks at homeschool and private school education conferences. The Winthers have 3 grown children and 6 grandchildren. Mary has recently returned to reside in her home state of Montana.
Alumni Coaches-
Thaddeus Hayes is a nationally accomplished Team Policy debater and dedicated coach with a heart for building both skill and character in his students. He competed in Team Policy for six years, qualifying to NITOC four times and finishing his senior year ranked first in the nation in both Team Policy and Team Policy speaker points.
Since graduating, Thaddeus has coached students through one-on-one sessions and debate camps, focusing especially on first affirmative and first negative strategies. With experience in every speaker position, he brings a flexible, well-rounded perspective to his coaching. He now competes at the collegiate level in Mock Trial, where he will serve as a varsity Co-Captain in the upcoming season.
Driven by a love for God and a passion for truth, Thaddeus prioritizes growth in wisdom and character above winning—believing that excellence in speech should reflect a heart of integrity and humility.
Zane Enos - Zane Enos is a former competitor, proud Resolve alumnus, and current speech and debate coach with nine years of experience. During seven years in Stoa, he qualified to NITOC seven times, won a national championship in Duo Interpretation, was a NITOC finalist in Dramatic and Humorous Interpretation, and competed in Team Policy Debate for six years. In 2024, he reached the NITOC final round in Team Policy Debate and finished the season ranked first in the nation. Zane continued competing for Cedarville University, winning Impromptu at Christian Nationals and earning national finalist placements in Broadcasting, Impromptu, and Team International Public Debate. His coaching emphasizes helping students break through barriers, combining attention to detail with a Christ-centered approach to excellence and growth. Zane studies Economics with a focus on Business Analytics at Cedarville University, serves as Vice President of the junior class, and will be a Resident Assistant in the upcoming school year.
Cara Enos- Cara Enos is a Resolve alumna and coach with more than eight years of speech and debate experience. A nationally ranked champion in Duo Interpretation and Impromptu Speaking, she also earned NITOC finalist placements in Original Oratory, Dramatic Interpretation, Extemporaneous, and Mars Hill Impromptu. In Lincoln-Douglas Debate, she was among the few competitors nationwide to finish nationals with a perfect 6–0 preliminary record.
Cara competed for Cedarville University, helping the team win Christian Nationals through multiple first-place finishes. As a coach, she is passionate about helping students grow in confidence, character, faith, and communication skills. She specializes in group coaching and believes students learn best through community, practice, and repetition. Cara studies Psychology at Cedarville University with an emphasis on chemical addictions and serves as a Women’s Ministry leader on campus.
Lily Jacobs
Aben Hayes
And more to come!!!