Climb Staff Bios

Mr. Hanson is responsible for the instructional creation and organization of the Foundation.  Mr. Hanson has been a Professor of Communication, Rhetoric and Argument and speech and debate coach for most of his life.  As coach, his speech and debate team won 5 squad NDPA national championships, first place CEDA team in the nation (Jessica Clarke and Adam Symonds), first place NDT speaker, and first place NPDA speaker (Miranda Morton) as well as over 1000 debate awards and 500 individual speaking events awards

Kenny is a coach at Western Washington University who debated for seven years (three years of policy in high school and four years of Parli in college). Kenny double majored in Critical Legal Studies and Philosophy at Western Washington University.  Kenny’s favorite arguments tend to be kritikal with an emphasis on Biopolitics, Neoliberalism, Post Colonialism and structures of debate. Kenny has helped with coaching for the past two years including two different high schools in Washington that placed within the top 8 at the state policy tournament.

Russell qualified for semifinals of nationals in congressional and repeatedly was ranked among the top congress competitors at tournament after tournament he attended.  He coached a group of novice debaters to great success, including one top 15 finish at the state tournament. He is an active member of the Colorado College Speech and Debate Team. He created, from scratch, introductions to speeches for every kind of speech and debate event.

Sarah Sherry is one of Washington state’s most respected and successful coaches. She is a triple diamond NSDA coach. Sarah won the 2013 WSFA Coach of the Year Award, was a select NFHS Coach in 2006, and her teams regularly advance into elimination rounds at local and national tournaments including placing 4th at the state tournament. She has developed extensive and excellent coaching resources and is ready to help you build your program.

Natalie has worked with Climb since April 2021, helping with the 400+ students that participated in our April-May programs. She has worked with younger kids at her dance studio teaching them how to dance. She has also helped children at We Rock the Spectrum Federal Way in learning how to develop the social skills needed for life. She has also fundraised for her Church's annual garage sale. She is ready to help Jim and all the Climb participants at the camp!

Julie has worked with Climb the Mountain for the 2020-2021 year providing instruction to elementary and middle school students. Julie has participated in debate at the award winning University of Washington Bothell program. She has also done extemporaneous and impromptu speaking and has won several awards. She will give you clear feedback to make you a better debater.

Laura is a great instructor for Climb. She has worked with elementary and middle school students and brought them to much success.

Laura partnered with beginners, coaching them as far as out-rounds at national level tournaments in under a year. In Western Washington University Laura competes in PNW debate and Policy and has finaled at every tournament in which she has competed. She is ready to do the same for you--making you a great debater.

Nico works for Climb and Aurorae Young providing coaching to many middle school debaters who have done very well at tournaments. Nico has also won many speaker awards in this event. Nico has done three years of interp, and one of oratory. She broke at state in two interp events (DI and DUO) as well as oratory and also qualified for nationals in OO. She provides high quality instruction and coaching.

Skye has been an instructor with Climb for much of the 2020-21 year. In middle and high school, Skye Cordero competed in Lincoln Douglas debate and placed at both the Washington's State Debate Tournament and NCFL Nationals. She was first in the Greater Spokane League's Lincoln Douglas debate. She also coached her peers in LD debate.  As a high schooler, she went to state for Original Oratory, Dramatic Interpretation and Performance of Oral Interpretation. She received numerous award at a local level in all three events. She is ready to give you the instruction you need to improve.

Yanti is a homeschool mom, yoga teacher, and enthusiastic debate instructor. In high school she competed in Original Oratory and Interp and received more than 30 awards. She won first place at multiple public speaking competitions, received the University of Florida Scholarship Award for Debate, and twice qualified for CFL Nationals. Yanti has coached elementary, middle and high school students and is ready to help you become a great debater.