Nearly 600 students from Florida and 14 other states participated in the 5th Annual Great Debate: Florida’s National Civics and Debate Championship, held in Orlando this past weekend. The event has seen significant growth since its inception five years ago, with participation numbers almost quadrupling.
Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas commented on the event’s impact, stating, “Florida continues to lead the nation in civics education, and the growth of The Great Debate proves that Florida’s approach to civics and debate is a model for other states to follow. We are proud to host a national event that brings students together for a weekend of rigorous competition and thoughtful discourse.”
The championship featured three main events: Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Debate, and Legislative Debate. Students competed in both middle school and high school divisions. This year’s high school champion was Daniel Llobet from School for Advanced Studies Wolfson, while Avinoor Jutla from Lincoln Middle School took top honors in the middle school division.
Special recognition was also given during the closing ceremony. Three coaches received the “Inspiring Coach Award” for their mentorship and excellence in speech and debate. One student was awarded “The Freedom Cup” for exemplifying citizenship.
The venues for this year’s competition included Caribe Royale, Lake Buena Vista High School, and Southwest Middle School in Orlando. Established in January 2021, The Great Debate aims to blend civics education with competitive debate at a national level. More information about winners and details about the championship can be found at www.TheGreatDebateFL.com.
