Governor Ron DeSantis has announced that the winner of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate at the upcoming Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) State Championship will receive a $50,000 scholarship and a trophy named in honor of Charlie Kirk. The event aims to highlight the importance of respectful debate among students. The runner-up will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship, while each semifinalist will receive $15,000 and quarterfinalists will get $10,000 each.
“We have worked hard by to make Florida the national model for civics education,” said Governor Ron DeSantis. “The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative reflects our commitment to fostering students’ appreciation for America’s founding principles. The champion of the next FCDI state championship will take home the Charlie Kirk prize, renamed in honor of a young man who embodied the principles of patriotism, civil discourse, and open debate. The generous scholarship awards for the winner and other top competitors will be a great memorial to Kirk’s legacy”
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas stated: “Florida is modeling for the nation the impact of comprehensive civics education. With the addition of the Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate into FCDI, students have even more opportunities to showcase their civics knowledge while engaging in respectful discourse. Through FCDI and the Civics Literacy Excellence Initiatives, we are ensuring the next generation understands our founding principles and is equipped to preserve them through active civic participation.”
The scholarships are supported by philanthropist Patricia Duggan from Clearwater with a ten-year commitment to fund these awards. This support is matched by contributions from the Florida Prepaid Foundation, increasing their overall effect. Additionally, both the winner and runner-up will be invited by the Ronald Reagan Foundation to attend the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California.
Scheduled for April 5, 2026 at New College of Florida in Sarasota, this year’s FCDI State Championship brings together thousands of students from all 67 school districts across Florida. Since its inception under Governor DeSantis’ administration in 2020—with only 59 teams in 11 districts—the initiative has grown significantly to include more than 330 teams statewide, over 125 of which are newly established this year.
Students participating in FCDI compete in more than 30 tournaments annually as part of an effort to deepen their understanding of civic education through debate.
