Meet our team

Ariyanna Ghala
Cofounder of Odyssey Debate Academy
Ariyanna is co-captain of the James Madison High School Public Forum debate team and a rising freshman at Harvard. She has broken school records, placing top 8 at NCFL Grand Nationals 2024 and qualifying for Gold Tournament of Champions 2025, as well as becoming a Virginia state finalist in 2025. She was a 2024 New Tech Coppel finalist, placed top at 8 the national circuit tournament Georgetown fall and octafinaled the University of Michigan invitational. Outside of debate she enjoys playing the violin and reading.

Avi Saraf
​Middle School Division Cofounder
Avi is co–vice captain of the JMHS Public Forum Debate Team. He has earned three bids to the Tournament of Champions. He is ranked 13th in Virginia by the National Speech and Debate Association in Public Forum and was ranked 48th nationally in 2024 by the National Symposium for Debate. He was also an octofinalist at the 2023 Middle School Tournament of Champions. Outside of debate, he enjoys biking, listening to music, and crocheting.​​

Julia Hosage
​Instructor ​
​Julia is a senior at James Madison High School and former captain of the JMHS debate team, as well as an accomplished debater. As part of the first all-female team to win 1st place at the VHSL State Tournament, she has also competed at NSDA Nationals and various national circuit tournaments. Beyond debate, Julia is passionate about languages and applies her skills as a translator. ​​
​

Ramsey Warner
Cofounder of Odyssey Debate Academy
Ramsey is co-captain of the James Madison High School Public Forum debate team and a rising freshman at UVA. She has broken school records by placing top 8 at NCFL Grand Nationals 2024 and qualifying for Gold Tournament of Champions 2025, as well as becoming a Virginia state finalist in 2025. She was a 2024 New Tech Coppel finalist, placed top at 8 the national circuit tournament Georgetown fall and octafinaled the University of Michigan invitational. Outside of debate she enjoys dance and listening to music.

Koby Shnekendorf
​Instructor
Koby is co–vice captain of the JMHS Public Forum Debate Team. He has earned three bids to the Tournament of Champions. He is ranked 13th in Virginia by the National Speech and Debate Association in Public Forum and was ranked 48th nationally in 2024 by the National Symposium for Debate. He is also a two-time finalist in the Washington Arlington Catholic Forensics League. Outside of debate, he enjoys playing guitar, practicing MMA, and reading.
