Improve Students Communication Skills
Engage Students in Critical Thinking
Encourage Students to Consider Different Perspectives
Enable Students to Confidently Express Themselves
Connect Students Intellectually
Prepare Students for Personal and Educational Success
AboutUs
THE COGITO PROMISE
OUR MISSION
COGITO NEWS
OUR EDUCATORS
OUR COACHES
Our coaches are experienced, passionate and skilled in elevating the communication skills of students through speech and debate.
JENDA TURNER, M.Ed.
Ms. Turner is the Executive Director of Cogito Debate as well as a Coach. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Child Development from Whittier College and a Master’s Degree in Education Administration from California Baptist University. In her free time, Ms. Turner enjoys mentoring students and is an avid reader. Her favorite quote is “It is the supreme art of the teacher to awaken joy in creative expression and knowledge.” by Albert Einstein.
KRISTINA V. RIETVELD
Mrs. Rietveld holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies with a Minor in Public Relations from Cal State University Long Beach and a DRPA Mediation Certification. Mrs. Rietveld started competing in speech and debate at the college level when she was 16 and fell in love with it immediately. She has won numerous awards competing at the state and national level in American Parliamentary Debate, British Parliamentary Debate, and International Public Debate (IPDA) as well as in Extemporaneous Speaking, Impromptu Speaking and Informative Speaking. As one of the founding coaches of Cogito, she is excited to see the program grow!
TRISTEN TUCKER
Ms. Tucker attended Irvine Valley College and Humboldt State University where she competed in debate at the college level, and earned silver in parliamentary debate at the Phi Rho Pi (National) Tournament.
KASSEY CHO
Ms. Cho is attending University of California Santa Barbara and Hope International. She has an impressive background in language arts/communications, including earning a nationally ranked 99th percentile SAT essay and writing score, winning first place in the city of Tustin’s 14th Annual Student Essay Contest, and receiving the AP Scholar Award in English Literature and Composition. Ms. Cho’s expertise is in Oral Interpretation, Platform Speaking, Speech Composition, Impromptu Speaking, and Communications/English Language Arts.
MIRANDA SWARTWOOD
Ms. Swartwood is currently attending University of California San Diego. She has a broad range of experience in competitive debate and public speaking as well as in coaching the youth. Ms. Swartwood’s expertise is in parliamentary and policy debate as well as in extemporaneous speech, expository speech, and humorous interpretation.
FORREST FULGENZI
Mr. Fulgenzi holds Bachelor Degrees in both Neuroscience and Economics from Pitzer College and has over eight years of coaching and direct debate experience, having won awards competing at both local and national levels of debate. He specializes in Policy Debate and in Lincoln Douglas Debate and has a passion for research and education. Mr. Fulgenzi enjoys working with students and teaching them the importance of research as well as debate theory and strategy.
JULIANA EGGERT
Ms. Eggert is currently attending Irvine Valley College and Folsom Lake Collegeand is awaiting transfer to a University to complete her Bachelor’s Degreein Nursing. In addition to her years of dedication in working with the youth, she has a notable background in public speaking: Ms. Eggert has won awards as a finalist up to the county level in the 2016 and 2017 “Poetry Out Loud” Competitions and has presented at multiple Oral Interpretation festivals. Ms. Eggert’s expertise is in Oral Interpretation.
HOLLY L. DURRANT
Mrs. Durrant is currently attending Irvine Valley College and is on track to receive her Associate Degree. She has demonstrated her dedication to education through her experience in The Academic Decathlon as well as in her engagements with students as a college tutor. Mrs. Durrant’s expertise is in Public Speaking and Current Events. In her free time, she enjoys photography and studying American Sign Language.
CLASS IN ACTION
BUILDING CONFIDENCE THROUGH SPEECH AND DEBATE
Self-confidence can be taught! At Cogito Debate we believe that by practicing the skills of speech and Debate students become more proficient which leads to self-confidence.
BE PART OF THE FAMILY
BECOME A COACH
Cogito Debate is hiring debate coaches throughout California to join our professional coaching team! This is an excellent opportunity for individuals with relevant experience and a passion to set students on the path to becoming meaningful contributors to their communities through speech and debate.