Why We Exist

Ben and Anna Miller’s journey with Stoa began in 2019 when they joined a local club with their children. Their son Dakota was naturally shy at first and was not excited when his mom encouraged him to try speech and debate. In fact, Dakota jokingly told people his mom was “mean” for making him do speech. What began reluctantly soon became one of his greatest passions.

Dakota spent his first two years focusing on speech before stepping into debate with his brother David during the 2022–2023 season. Together, they qualified for NITOC and advanced to the first round of outrounds, where Dakota continued to grow into a confident speaker, debater, and encourager to those around him.

Dakota deeply believed in speech and debate and the impact it could have on students. He often encouraged others to join, especially his best friend Tyler, telling him, “Everyone should do this.” That was simply who Dakota was. He loved bringing people in, building others up, and helping them see their potential.

Tragically, Dakota passed away in an accident on October 3, 2023. By that time, speech and debate had become such a meaningful part of his life that he had already written and completed two speeches for the upcoming 2023–2024 season. Even before his passing, his passion had already begun impacting others and inspiring students around him to step into debate.

At Dakota’s celebration of life, a friend shared a vision of his impact by saying, “Dakota will have a bigger impact on that side of heaven than on this side.” At the time, those words were difficult for the Miller family to fully understand.

The vision was later explained through the image of a rock dropped into still water. The ripples spread farther than anyone can see. Since then, that picture has become reality. With new territory being added in Lancaster area, and now has more than 1 Club.

After Dakota’s passing, Tyler stepped in as David’s debate partner. Together they competed in six tournaments, placing 8th at one of them. Through that experience, Tyler’s family saw the need for Stoa opportunities locally in Pennsylvania.

Out of that ripple effect, Legacy Speech and Debate Club was born. Rooted in Christ and inspired by Dakota’s legacy, our desire is to help many students near and far grow in confidence, communication, leadership, and truth while continuing the impact Dakota believed every student should experience.