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
Colleen Enos is a Stoa coach who lives in Colorado Springs, Colorado, with her family. She has been involved in speech and debate since 2004. All eight of her children have competed in speech and debate, and two are current Stoa competitors. Colleen and Larry Sparks co-founded the speech and debate club Resolve in Colorado in 2007. She has served on the Stoa Debate Committee since 2015. Colleen is passionate about training the next generation to winsomely articulate the gospel to a dying world. She believes Stoa students will use their rhetorical skills to sprinkle salt and shine light on our nation. Her background is in advocacy for the unborn in debate and political settings. Colleen received her B.S. in Business Management and is a certified paralegal.

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.

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

Cara Enos