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 announcement highlights an ongoing effort to promote civics education and respectful debate among students.
The runner-up in the debate will be awarded a $25,000 scholarship, while two semifinalists will each receive $15,000. Four quarterfinalists are set to receive $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 added: “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 through a ten-year pledge. The Florida Prepaid Foundation matches these scholarships, increasing their overall effect. Additionally, with support from the Ronald Reagan Foundation, both the winner and runner-up will be invited to attend the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California.
The FCDI State Championship is scheduled for April 5, 2026 at New College of Florida in Sarasota. The initiative has grown significantly under Governor DeSantis’ leadership; it now includes teams in all 67 school districts across Florida—up from just 59 teams in 11 districts in 2020—and over 125 new teams have been added during this period. Students are expected to participate in more than 30 tournaments this year as part of efforts to deepen their understanding of civic education.
Through these developments, thousands of students statewide are engaging in civil discourse and strengthening skills related to reasoning and civic virtue.
