Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas announced the winners of the first Sunshine State Debate, held in honor of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The competition brought together nearly 100 students from institutions within the Florida College System, with debates centered on the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Lillian Clay from North Florida College secured first place, while Justice Robinson from Hillsborough College was awarded second place. Commissioner Kamoutsas stated, “I was honored to announce the winners of the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Throughout the competition, students’ mastery of civic discourse, thoughtful persuasion and a deep understanding of the constitutional ideals that shaped our nation were on display. Under Governor DeSantis’ steadfast leadership, civics has become an essential component of every student’s education, and the Sunshine State Debate demonstrated Florida’s commitment to the values that formed our constitutional republic.”
Scholarship awards for competition winners were provided by both the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and the Florida Council of Resource Development. Additionally, the Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute will sponsor an all-expense paid trip for the first-place winner to serve as a judge at the National Debate Championship in California.
The event adopted a debate style inspired by Ronald Reagan Presidential Debates, focusing on civility, personality, and storytelling. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute supported participants with training sessions and logistical assistance.
This year’s event was supported by several organizations including the Florida College System Foundation, Florida Student Success Center, Association of Florida Colleges, Fifth Third Bank, Lawson Huck Gonzalez PLLC, and Tallahassee State College.
The Florida Department of Education, which operates from its headquarters in Tallahassee, oversees education throughout Florida from early learning through higher education. It partners with parents, educators, and communities to improve student achievement across diverse groups. The department provides academic resources and professional development for both educators and students to foster comprehensive educational outcomes.
