York Family – Founding Family

Scott and Mary York have been married since 1979 and they began their homeschool journey in 1995.  They graduated and successfully launched all 7 of their children from their homeschool program. When they graduated their youngest in 2020 they officially completed 26 years of homeschooling and 21 years of participation in the crown jewel of their homeschooling efforts, competitive speech and debate. Forensics (competitive speech and debate) was the most influential program they participated in with their children. They are looking forward to continuing to volunteer their time and efforts to help new families reach success in this venture. 

Hosmer Family – Founding Family

Steve and Monique Hosmer have been married for 31 years, and have 4 children: Nathaniel, Brianna, Adria, and Erica. 

They started in Stoa 9 years ago. Steve has served as the president of 2 separate STOA clubs for the past 6 years.  His experience includes coaching and judging highschool speech and debate, and is a professional judge on the college circuit (NPDA, BP, IPDA). His primary job is serving as the CFO of a public company.  He also serves as an adjunct professor in communications at Point Loma Nazarene, and speaks frequently for work, ministry and other events in person, on television and radio. 

Monique has enjoyed growing as a coach in Speech and Debate, first with her own children, then with increasing roles in club coaching, tournament ballot return, and is now the club’s Lead Speech Coach. Her focus is interp, blocking, and creating audience connection.

Davis Family


Halfpap Family

Josh and Jessica Halfpap are entering their 4th year with Ex Nihilo and 12th year of homeschooling. Both military veterans, Josh recently retired from the Navy Medical Service Corps and is currently teaching for Bowling Green State University, while Jessica enjoys the ever-changing challenges of homeschool life. The Halfpaps have five children, three competing in speech and debate this year, one with high hopes for continued novice-track opportunities, and one preschooler who takes the stage often. Josh serves as the club’s lead Team Policy Debate Coach, and Jessica assists with speech coaching, junior track, and club communication and administration. Their family would encourage you to come check it out!

Lee Family

Sue and Denny believe effective communication and critical thinking are life-long skills no matter what our students grow up to be. They have two children and have seen them grow in confidence and in speaking skills in the few years of being in competitive forensics.
 
Denny serves as our head Apologetics Coach, and believes “apol” is one of the most important events of speech and debate because culture tries its best to deconstruct the faith of our young people.  His hope is to equip the students to know why they believe what they believe as they engage with culture.
 
Sue fills in mostly with coaching on the Platform side and appreciates the growing community of Ex Nihilo and Stoa. 

Vandever Family

Andrew and Jenny and their two girls joined Ex Nihilo in 2022, looking for a community where their daughters could grow in confidence, communication, and critical thinking. They quickly found much more—a community that has become an important part of their family’s homeschooling years. Andrew is a systems engineer at a social media company, while Jenny has spent many years homeschooling their daughters and leading various homeschool groups. Andrew currently serves as one of Ex Nihilo’s Lincoln Douglas coaches, while Jenny serves a head Interp Coach. 

Weld Family

Andy and Emily Weld have been homeschooling their 4 children (elementary to high school) since 2010. Emily, a 2nd generation homeschooler, was introduced to competitive speech and debate in the early 2000s when asked to be a community judge for a local competition. After marrying Emily, Andy was also recruited into community judging, by the Yorks. Both realized the value in teaching and consistently practicing good communication and thoughtful argumentation skills as we train our children to engage in this world. Andy, being a sports guy, appreciates the competitive nature and team camaraderie developed in the club and tournament environment which can be highly motivating to students.  The Welds help out more on the speech side of things or wherever needed. Andy serves as Club President and head Platform Speech Coach, and Emily serves in both coaching and hospitality.