How many students can I bring to The Great Debate?
FCDI will determine and notify teams how many students they may bring to NCDC at the conclusion of the application period. All additional team members will be placed on a waitlist.
When will I know how many students I can bring to The Great Debate?
The application period closes on November 27, 2024; FCDI will notify teams of their allocation by November 29, 2024.
Can students bring their parents and families?
FCDI will allocate the number of attendees a team may bring, for example a team of 10 would be allocated 10 competitors, 10 parents, 1 coach and 5 judges for a total of 26 attendees. FCDI will provide sleeping accommodations and meals for up to the allocated attendees for each team.
What is the agenda for The Great Debate?
The agenda will be posted at Home | Florida Civics and Debate Initiative a when it is finalized. The tentative plan is for registration to take place on Friday, January 17, 2025, with a concurrent college fair. All competitions will take place on Saturday and Sunday, and the tournament will conclude with an awards ceremony on Monday, January 20,
2025.
Are students required to participate in all three events?
Yes, the National Civics and Debate Championship “The Great Debate” is a triathlon style competition where all students will expand their skill set through competition in all three events.
Why are spots limited this year?
The National Civics and Debate Championship has grown each year, and due to limited space, we must limit each team’s number participants to accommodate as many schools as possible. It is our hope that the competition can be expanded next year to allow more schools and students to participate, but the expansion was not feasible this year.
When can I book my hotel reservation?
Each team will RSVP with their room list and FCDI will book the rooms based on the information provided by the coach.
Will the students receive information in advance to prep for the event?
Yes, a Legislative Packet and other topics will be posted no less than 2 weeks prior to the tournament.
Can my student request to participate in a room with only a judge?
Yes, a Legislative Packet and other topics will be posted no less than 2 weeks prior to the tournament.
Can my student request to participate in a room with only a judge?
Rooms cannot be “cleared.” Judges should NOT be alone in a room with a single competitor.
Is there a travel stipend for The Great Debate?
FCDI will advance out of state teams up to $500 per attendee and reimburse Florida teams for travel expenses. The formula and form for travel reimbursement will be posted at Home | Florida Civics and Debate Initiative.
THAT THOROUGHLY CHALLENGES STUDENTS' DEBATE SKILLS
While most conventional debate tournaments require students to compete in only one event, this event, the first and only of its kind, requires students to compete in three different debate events during two tournament days — Extemporaneous Debate, Congressional Debate and Impromptu Speaking.
A
A EVENT
CONGRESSIONAL
DEBATE
EXTEMPORANEOUS DEBATE
IMPROMPTU
SPEAKING
WHAT TO KNOW
The 2027 FCDI National Civics and Debate Championship (NCDC) brings together talented speech and debate students from across the country for high-level competition, civil discourse, and intellectual challenge. In 2027, students will apply individually for admission to NCDC.
Coaches should review the information below carefully.
WHO CAN APPLY FOR NCDC?
All students currently enrolled in grades 6–12 are eligible to apply for consideration. Students may apply regardless of location, and out-of-state students are encouraged to apply. Because NCDC is a highly competitive national championship, FCDI is primarily seeking experienced, varsity-level students prepared to compete in a rigorous national competition. Submitting an application does not guarantee admission.
THE APPLICATION PROCESS
Applications are reviewed.
Coaches receive a list of students who applied from their team on September 28th.
Students receive a confirmation email within two business days of submitting their application.
Students submit an individual application.
Students and coaches receive application status updates no later than October 19th.
Note: Late applications will not be accepted, and no exceptions will be made. Students are responsible for ensuring that their application is submitted successfully. We strongly recommend submitting an application at least two business days before the deadline to allow time to receive confirmation. If confirmation is not received within 2 business days, please reach out to FCDI@fldoe.org.
INFORMATION FOR INVITED TEAMS
The following information is for teams with at least one student accepted to NCDC after October 19th. Coaches should not make arrangements or reservations until invited.
IMPORTANT DATES for invited teams
November 6: Deadline to apply for financial assistance for NCDC using the provided financial assistance application for NCDC and register with the FCDI (civicsanddebate.com/register). All invited teams must register with the FCDI to be eligible to participate in NCDC.
November 30: Deadline to withdraw competitors without penalty ($50 penalty per withdrawal after Nov. 30). Deadline to enter judges into SpeechWire (accepted students will be automatically registered in SpeechWire for NCDC).
December 7: Hotel reservations, payment, room list, and tax exempt certificate are due to the hotel.
January 8: Deadline to drop with the $50 fee. Competitors withdrawing after January 8 or competitors who are a
no-show will be required to pay a fee equivalent to the cost of attendance (transportation, meals, and activities).
LOCATIONS
The National Civics and Debate College, Career & Leadership Showcase will be held on Friday starting at 2 PM at the DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando (5780 Major Blvd, Orlando, FL 32819). Judge Training, Presiding Officer Training, and the Welcome Reception will also take place Friday afternoon and evening at the DoubleTree.
On Saturday and Sunday, January 16-17, 2027, competition rounds will be hosted at local schools.
On Monday, January 18, 2027, the awards ceremony will be held at the DoubleTree.
More details, including the full schedule, will be provided to invited teams.
LODGING [NEW]
Teams are responsible for making reservations at the hotel (DoubleTree by Hilton at the Entrance to Universal Orlando), providing a room list, and submitting payment and any applicable tax-exempt certificate to the hotel.
TRANSPORTATION
Teams are responsible for arranging transportation to the DoubleTree on Friday, January 15. Transportation from the DoubleTree to the competition sites and back to the DoubleTree will be provided.
FCDI REGISTRATION
FCDI registration is required to compete at NCDC, including for out-of-state teams. Head coaches must register their team, coach(es) and students at civicsanddebate.com/register by November 6, 2026. Registration on SpeechWire is not required for competitors– only judges.
FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE
Teams seeking financial assistance must submit the required application by November 6, 2026. More information and the application will be provided via email to the coaches of invited teams.
Important note: Financial assistance for NCDC will be provided as a reimbursement for costs associated with attendance. Teams should be prepared to purchase lodging and arrange transportation prior to receiving funds. Financial assistance for NCDC is separate from the team stipend.
JUDGES
Each invited team is responsible for providing its own judges. Teams must provide 1 judge for every 2 competitors, or portion thereof. Judges at NCDC are not required to take the official judge training course required to judge all other FCDI tournaments. However, all judges participating in NCDC must attend one judge training session offered at the DoubleTree on Friday afternoon/evening. The schedule will be provided to all invited teams.
OUR STORY
In November 2021, the FCDI hosted the inaugural National Civics and Debate Championship (NCDC), which showcased a “next level synthesis” of civics education and debate competition. The NCDC thoroughly challenged students’ civics knowledge, debate skills and endurance. Students participated in a three-day competition with over 150 students and 26 teams.
While most conventional debate tournaments require students to compete in only one event, the NCDC “triathlon” required students to compete in different debate events on each of the three tournament days.
In 5 years, the championship has grown from 150 students to an anticipated 650 this January.
2026 WINNERS
The Great Debate: The National Civics and Debate Championship
Held January 17-20, 2025
This event offered a unique competitive experience where students had to compete in three events over two days of competition to demonstrate the breadth of their civics knowledge and the diversity of their communications skills. The tournament culminated in a special awards ceremony.
All middle and high school students NATIONWIDE were invited to attend.
Photos from the 2026 event:
HIGH SCHOOL
OVERALL CHAMPION
Daniel Llobet, School for Advanced Studies Wolfson
2ND PLACE
Margaret Lindemann, Region 14 Academy
3RD PLACE
Joseph Wise, Wildwood High School
4TH PLACE
Andrew Hayes, Rockhurst High School
5TH PLACE
David Arutyunyan, FAU High School
MIDDLE SCHOOL
OVERALL CHAMPION
Avinoor Jutla, Lincoln Middle School
2ND PLACE
Emerson Blue, Seaside Neighborhood School
3RD PLACE
Keerthana Ramkumar, Public Speaking Academy
4TH PLACE
Cooper Campen, Campen Homeschool
5TH PLACE
Arianna Oropeza, IPrep Academy North
INSPIRING COACHES
Holly Chaker, Ponte Vedra High School
Phillip Helt, Rockhurst High School (Missouri)
Brittany White, Beachside High School
These awards will honor three of our coaches who helped develop the skills of the students competing in The Great Debate. These three coaches were nominated by their students.
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THE FREEDOM CUP
Thomas Perez - Apopka High School
The freedom cup is awarded to one student who exemplifies great citizenship.
LEGISLATIVE debate CHAMPION - high school
Daniel Llobet, School for Advanced Studies Wolfson
Extemporaneous debate CHAMPION - high schooL
Hailey Graepel, Pasco High School
Impromptu speaking CHAMPION - high schooL
Joseph Wise, Wildwood High School
Legislative debate CHAMPION - Middle school
Emerson Blue, Seaside Neighborhood School
Extemporaneous debate CHAMPION - Middle schooL
Arianna Oropeza, IPrep Academy North
Impromptu speaking CHAMPION - Middle schooL
Cooper Campen, Campen Homeschool
LEGISLATIVE debate
high school winners
2nd Place – Andrew Hayes
3rd Place – Sofia Dirawi
4th Place – Jarrett Kelley
5th Place – Gillian Collins
extemporaneous debate
high school winners
2nd Place – Isaac Doi
3rd Place – Stephanie Nwanyanwu
4th Place – Mylin Ours
5th Place – Adam Francesconi
Impromptu speaking
high school winners
2nd Place – Andrea Lara
3rd Place – Audale Coburn
4th Place – Sritha Gaddam
5th Place – Audrey Ellenburg
LEGISLATIVE debate
Middle school winners
2nd Place – Likitha Somarouth
3rd Place – Anushya Baruah
4th Place – Keerthana Ramkumar
5th Place – Maggie Castle
Extemporaneous debate
MIddle school winners
2nd Place – Isha Sai Obulareddy
3rd Place – Reese Akins
4th Place – Keerthana Ramkumar
5th Place – Siya Barad
impromptu speaking
Middle school winners
2nd Place – Avinoor Jutla
3rd Place – Ellington Smith
4th Place – Shreeya Narasimhan
5th Place – Madison Lavidas
2025 WINNERS
The Great Debate: The National Civics and Debate Championship
Held January 17-20, 2025
This event offered a unique competitive experience where students had to compete in three events over two days of competition to demonstrate the breadth of their civics knowledge and the diversity of their communications skills. The tournament culminated in a special awards ceremony.
All middle and high school students NATIONWIDE were invited to attend.
Photos from the 2025 event:
HIGH SCHOOL
OVERALL CHAMPION
Oscar Rubio Flores, Wildwood High School, Wildwood
2ND PLACE
Andria Antony, Hagerty High School, Oviedo
3RD PLACE
Grace Jackson, Hagerty High School, Oviedo
4TH PLACE
Anabel Kirkland, Lake Nona High School, Orlando
5TH PLACE
Hunter Hayes, Lake Nona High School, Orlando
MIDDLE SCHOOL
OVERALL CHAMPION
Aryana Sahai, A.D. Henderson University School
2ND PLACE
Armaan Seth, The Frazier School, Gainesville
3RD PLACE
Lara Castineyra, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville
4TH PLACE
Sara Khial, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville
5TH PLACE
Nathan Moronta, iPrep Academy North Middle School, Miami
INSPIRING COACHES
ToryAnn Stutts - Orlando Science High School
Kristin Potter-Oliveri - FAU High School
K. Morgan Mousley - Tocoi Creek High School
These awards will honor three of our coaches who helped develop the skills of the students competing in The Great Debate. These three coaches were nominated by their students.
THE FREEDOM CUP
Erabelle Conant - Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School
The freedom cup is awarded to one student who exemplifies great citizenship.
LEGISLATIVE debate CHAMPION - high school
Hunter Hayes - Lake Nona High School, Orlando
Extemporaneous debate CHAMPION - high schooL
Noah De Haan - Tocoi Creek High School, St. Augustine
Impromptu speaking CHAMPION - high schooL
David Arutyunyan - FAU High School, Boca Raton
congressional debate CHAMPION - Middle school
Angela Ostheimer, A.D. Henderson University School, Boca Raton
Extemporaneous debate CHAMPION - Middle schooL
Aryana Sahai, A.D. Henderson University School
Impromptu speaking CHAMPION - Middle schooL
Josh Kim, The Frazer School, Gainesville
LEGISLATIVE debate
high school winners
2nd Place - Sahiti Reddy
3rd Place - Andria Antony
4th Place - Grace M. Rivera Gonzalez
5th Place - Samantha Faucette
6th Place - Oscar Rubio Flores
7th Place - Kody Bigay
8th Place - Tanush Chava
9th Place - Jason Joseph
10th Place - Sophia Powell
11th Place - Isaac Caccam
12th Place - Jolie Lehrman
13th Place - Anik Sahai
14th Place - Anabel Kirkland
15th Place - Sydney Thompson
extemporaneous debate
high school winners
2nd Place - Nicholas Ostheimer
3rd Place - Evden Tillery
4th Place - Elizabeth Grounds
5th Place - Graham Bowser
6th Place - Anushka Patni
7th Place - Jolie Lehrman
8th Place - David Arutyunyan
9th Place - Oscar Rubio Flores
10th Place - Samantha Westerdale
11th Place - Anabel Kirkland
12th Place - Hailey Graepel
13th Place - William Kiker
14th Place - Andria Antony
15th Place - Truitt Williams
Impromptu speaking
high school winners
2nd Place - Grace Jackson
3rd Place - Jackson Buzzard
4th Place - Jordan Miranda Juarez
5th Place - Peter Moywaya
6th Place - Oscar Rubio Flores
7th Place - Tristan Rodriguez
8th Place - Sophia Powell
9th Place - Jenna McKee
10th Place - Andria Antony
11th Place - Audrey Ellenburg
12th Place - Jayden Gabay
13th Place - Jaylen E. Moore
14th Place - Isabella Applegate
15th Place - Hunter Hayes
LEGISLATIVE debate
Middle school winners
2nd Place - Armaan Seth
3rd Place - Vincent Wen
4th Place - Sara Khial
5th Place - Emery Brooks
6th Place - Selena Dexter
7th Place - Aryana Sahai
8th Place - Sasha Yan
9th Place - Jayden White
10th Place - Lara Castineyra
Extemporaneous debate
MIddle school winners
2nd Place - Nathan Moronta
3rd Place - Gage Papp
4th Place - Lara Castineyra
5th Place - Sara Khial
6th Place - Jalen Zheng
7th Place - Ignacio Andres Cervantes
8th Place - Avinoor Jutla
9th Place - Zeyad Saadi
10th Place - Quinn Baker
impromptu speaking
Middle school winners
2nd Place - Madison Lavidas
3rd Place - Breanna Kopinski
4th Place - Thomas Moywaywa
5th Place - Ellington Smith
6th Place - Armaan Seth
7th Place - Vincent Wen
8th Place - Veeksha Nalluri
9th Place - Jessica Zou
10th Place - Siya Barad
OUR STORY
In November 2021, the FCDI hosted the inaugural National Civics and Debate Championship (NCDC), which showcased a “next level synthesis” of civics education and debate competition. The NCDC thoroughly challenged students’ civics knowledge, debate skills and endurance. Students participated in a three-day competition with over 150 students and 26 teams.
With exemplary performance in rigorous contests aligned with Florida’s standards, students competed in the areas of Congressional Debate, Extemporaneous Debate, Impromptu Speaking and Extemporaneous Sports Analysis (a new event added to attract a new demographic of competitors).
While most conventional debate tournaments require students to compete in only one event, the NCDC “triathlon” required students to compete in different debate events on each of the three tournament days.
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