SNU DEBATE SQUAD

Dennis Savill is an assistant professor of history and the founder of the Debate Squad at SNU as well as its Director of Debate, coaching the squad to receiving an National Debate Tournament bid. Teaching since 2012, he founded the nationally competitive middle and upper school policy debate squad at Crossings Christian School which won seven state titles (two in 6A) in eleven years. His education includes a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from Oklahoma City University and a Master’s in History from the University of Central Oklahoma. Before his teaching career, he had a thirteen-year career in Information Technology at companies such as the Daily Oklahoman, Dobson Communications, and Sonic, following a four-year career debating at Putnam City high school and in college. Mr. Savill believes in helping to equip Christian students with the logical framework and persuasion skills needed to defend their faith against the myriad of intellectual attacks they will receive in college and beyond. By combining dialectic techniques with project-based learning about the world and Biblical examples, the student should calmly and persuasively argue that Christianity makes more sense than any other philosophy or structure. The Savill family includes daughter, Olivia, and a slider turtle, Sacagawea. When not teaching, Dennis loves to read for fun and learning, watch movies and sports, travel, swim, and write novels with his daughter. An avid movie and history buff, Dennis loves to discuss these two favorite subjects with fellow aficionados.

Starting as a debater in his junior year of high school, Martin “Marty” Glendinning has been involved with academic debate for 47 years. Marty has been debating and coaching at the high school level and at the collegiate level. As a senior in high school, he qualified for the National Speech and Debate Association National tournament. As a collegiate debater, Marty won 2 National Championships as well as qualifying for the National Debate Tournament (NDT) 3 times. He also qualified for the elimination debates at the NDT his senior year. As a two-year collegiate coach at UCO, his teams won a National Championship and tied for 4th at the Cross Examination Debate Association National Tournament. After coaching at the collegiate level, Marty has been coaching high school debate for 30 years. In his 30 years of coaching high school, he has had twelve 6A OSSAA Policy Debate State Champions from 6 different Oklahoma high schools, one NSDA National Champion Speaker, and the third speaker and a quarter-finalist team at the University of Kentucky High School Tournament of Champions. Marty is extremely excited to bring his experience to SNU and to have the opportunity to continue to equip young people with skills that are critical to defending their faith and furthering their possibilities for successes in life.

Jared DeMunbrun has been involved in debate for more than a decade as both a competitor and coach. He began competing at Crossing Christian School, where he won the Oklahoma state championship, before continuing on scholarship at Liberty University, winning the American Debate Tournament JV division and qualifying to the National Debate Tournament. Since 2015, Jared has coached students across multiple levels, focusing on building strong critical thinking, research, and advocacy skills. He believes debate is one of the most valuable educational tools for preparing students to lead and engage thoughtfully in the world.

Two-time 5A state champion Olivia Savill began her policy debate career at Crossings Christian School, where she debated for seven years, competing on the regional and national level. Her senior year, she was 35th ranked in the nation. She has been coaching debate since 2014, specializing in teaching technical skills such as notetaking and speech structure. Additionally, she also does graphic design for the team and assists with tournament tabulation. In her time away from debate, she enjoys painting and writing fiction.

Gabby Knight has seven years of competitive policy debate experience and seven years of high school and collegiate coaching. During her competitive years Gabriella debated for Cornell University where she was a two-time CEDA semi-finalist and NDT octofinalist in addition to winning local and national tournament championships. Following her time at Cornell, Gabby coached for Crossings Christian School in Oklahoma as well as coaching at the collegiate level for Binghamton University, University of Rochester, and now the wonderful SNU.

Maryjane Burton is a veteran theatre educator with over 30 years of experience in the Choctaw-Nicoma Park School District, including 29 years at her alma mater, Choctaw High School. She currently teaches Competitive Speech and Drama and serves as Director of the Performing Arts Center. Under her leadership, Choctaw has earned 18 OSSAA 6A One Act Play State Championships and 3 consecutive OSSAA 6A Speech State Championships. Her students have also achieved national recognition in DUO Acting and Prose performance. In recognition of her outstanding contributions to arts education, Maryjane Burton was honored with the 2014-15 Outstanding Speech, Debate, and Theatre Educator Award. Her influence extends beyond the stage; she is a mentor, motivator, and role model whose impact is felt throughout the Choctaw community. Her work continues to inspire future performers, directors, and educators, leaving a lasting legacy in Oklahoma high school theatre.

Ishmael Kissinger is a Speech and Debate Coach with nearly 25 years of experience in the activity.  In 18 years of teaching he has qualified students to the National Speech & Debate Tournament for 17 consecutive years.  His students consistently perform well at National competition, including Finalists at the Extemp TOC and students in outrounds of NSDA Nationals.  Ishmael is sharp, efficient, and focused on making things better — especially for your students.