Willie debated for 4 years at Fairmont Prep in Anaheim, California. During that time, he reached quarters or better at Berkeley, Arizona State, Grapevine, Stanford, Season Opener, Apple Valley (2x), Glenbrooks, and NDCAs (3x); was ranked 1st in both NSDA points and TOC bids; and received invites to the Ivy Street Round Robin, Cal Round Robin, and Durham Round Robin. He believes quality research and maximizing fun are critical for success in speech and debate. As an ISD alum, he knows how integral camp can be to a debater’s growth and is excited to return this summer!
Type: Junior
George Matthew Gutierrez
George Matthew Gutierrez is a student leader, “interper”, and nationally competitive speech and debate student from Harlingen High School South in Texas. Being the President of the South Speech team and a member of one of the nation’s most successful forensics programs, George has earned recognition in multiple speech and interpretation events, including becoming a Humorous Interpretation champion (2024) and Runner Up in both Storytelling (2023) and Duo Interpretation (2025). Beyond competition, he works to expand the reach of speech and debate through social media outreach, mentorship, and community engagement initiatives that connect students to opportunities in public speaking and advocacy.
As the creator of “South Spoken,” a documentary highlighting the experiences, challenges, and successes of his nationally recognized speech and debate team, he uses film to amplify student voices and preserve the stories that shape his community. Through leadership, performance, and media, George advocates for the transformative power of communication, believing that speech and debate can empower young people to tell their stories, challenge perspectives, and create meaningful change.
Owen Casey
Owen Casey is a Sophomore at Duke University studying Political Economy, Data Science, and Energy, with experience in geopolitical consulting. In high school, he won the NSDA Senate Leadership Bowl, Yale, and the Tournament of Champions (PO), in addition to placements at the Harvard Round Robin, Princeton, UKSO, and Bronx, and finals at Harvard (2x) and NSDA Senate (2x). Cumulatively, he was ranked 3rd by the NSDA (2025) and 1st by the Congressional Debate Index (Fall 2023), with 17 TOC bids. He was the founding member of his school’s congressional debate team, helped build the Equality in Forensics congressional coaching program, and now debates across the world as a varsity member of the Duke Debate Society. As a coach, he specializes in judging appeal and helping students find their unique and individual voices. He is thrilled to be a Junior Instructor this summer (even if he is a rival of UNC deep down).
Isra Yasin
Isra Yasin is an eight-time national finalist and four-time national champion in Original Oratory and Informative Speaking. Their national titles include back-to-back NCFL National Championships in Original Oratory (2025, 2026), as well as championships at Glenbrooks and NIETOC in Informative Speaking. As a junior, Isra placed 2nd at NSDA Nationals in OO and 3rd at Harvard. As a sophomore, they earned 2nd place at NIETOC and 3rd place at NCFL. Next year, Isra will attend Howard University, where they plan to study Political Science on a pre-law track. They bring firsthand experience competing at the highest levels of the national circuit and is passionate about helping students develop the skills and confidence needed to reach their competitive goals.
Lexie Toshav
Lexie competed for 7 years for Isidore Newman School in Louisiana, primarily in extemporaneous speaking, impromptu speaking, and extemp commentary. Most notably, she was a finalist in extemporaneous speaking at the UT Longhorn Classic, the New York City Invitational, and the California Invitational, as well as the two-time Louisiana state champion. In addition, she was an NSDA finalist in extemporaneous commentary. She is a two-time ISD alum, and is so excited to return to a camp that had such an impact on her speech and debate career!
Al Zaidi
Al Zaidi is a rising freshman at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and a graduate of Holy Trinity Episcopal Academy in Florida.
Across three seasons in Extemp, Al won national tournaments including Yale, Bronx, Blue Key, and the Sunvitational — alongside FFL Florida State championships in both International Extemp and United States Extemp. Al was also a semifinalist in IX at NSDA Nationals, the TOC, and Harvard; a finalist at Glenbrooks, Emory, and the Coolidge Cup; and received two invitations to the Montgomery Bell Academy Round Robin.
Alongside competing, Al coaches in his local community. In 2023, he founded a debate initiative that reaches 150+ students in Title I schools. He also directs local tournaments, organizing the region’s first competition for 60+ students from seven high schools. Al is an NSDA Academic All-American, a recipient of the NSDA Speaking & Service Award, and a recipient of the NSDA All-State Award. A published novelist and poet, Al enjoys employing language for creative expression and has invented an antibiotic for nosocomial infection. He is a published researcher and a Borlaug Scholar. A former ISD camper, Al is excited to return to ISD as an instructor this summer!
Eva Redmond
Eva is currently a senior at The Blake School and has debated there for four years. Eva has amassed 15 bids to the Tournament of Champions and won the UK Season Opener, Apple Valley, the Blake Round Robin (2x), the Ivy Street Round Robin, the Barkley Forum, and Minnesota State (2x). She has broken at the TOC two years in a row, receiving 5th speaker her sophomore year. She also loves sailing, playing with her dog, and reading. Eva is thrilled to be a part of ISD!
Esther Oyetunji
Esther competed in high school Speech and Debate for four years, competing in several categories such as Informative Speaking, Original Oratory, and Program Oral Interpretation. As a member of the American Heritage Speech team she championed various tournaments ranging from Florida Varsity State, The Barkley Forum at Emory University, and Harvard University’s International Tournament. Most notably, she is a three time, back-to-back-to-back NSDA National Champion in Original Oratory. Esther is so excited to give back to a community that has given her so much!