ORLANDO, Fla., January 24, 2025 – This weekend, the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) brought together 420 middle and high school students from 72 schools across Florida and out-of-state to compete in The Great Debate: Florida’s National Civics and Debate Championship (NCDC) in Orlando. FCDI was proud to name tournament champions in Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Debate and Legislative Debate.
The Great Debate was held at the Rosen Centre Hotel and Lake Buena Vista High School in Orlando. Since the inaugural event in 2021, the event has grown exponentially and garnered the attention of students nationwide who want to compete. Students from schools from Texas, Oklahoma, Nevada and Florida participated in this year’s event.
“Florida is at the forefront of civics education, and we are committed to continuing to provide opportunities for students to learn about the founding principles of our great Republic,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “Congratulations to the students who placed in The Great Debate competition. We’re excited to see how this initiative and this annual competition will continue to set the standard for civics education in the years to come, inspiring communities across Florida and the nation.”
“The Great Debate continues to evolve into a transformative event for students to access the highest quality educational opportunities – a cornerstone of the Florida Education Foundation’s mission,” said Rebecca Matthews, Board Chair of the Florida Education Foundation and University of West Florida Board Member. “Through this speech and debate competition, we have an opportunity for Florida students to compete at the highest level with students from across the country.”
As a hallmark event of FCDI, The Great Debate aims to inspire middle and high school students to engage in civics activities and elevate their civic knowledge. Established in January 2019, FCDI is dedicated to advancing civics education across the state.
The Great Debate named 8 winners between middle school and high school divisions. Judges scored students in Impromptu Speaking, Extemporaneous Debate and Legislative Debate, naming a winner for each event as well as an overall champion for both age groups.
Two additional awards, the Freedom Cup Award and Inspiring Coach Awards were also given during the ceremony. The Freedom Cup honors a student who embodies what it means to be a great citizen. Nominated by their students, three inspiring coaches are also honored for inspiring their students and excelling at the craft of speech and debate.
Overall – Middle School Division
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
Overall – High School Division
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
Impromptu Speaking – Middle School Division
Champion – Josh Kim, The Frazer School, Gainesville
2nd Place – Madison Lavidas, Randall Middle School, Lithia
3rd Place – Breanna Kopinski, Roulhac Middle School, Chipley
4th Place – Thomas Moywaywa, The Frazer School, Gainesville
5th Place – Ellington Smith, Oak View Middle School, Newberry
Impromptu Speaking – High School Division
Champion – David Arutyunyan, FAU High School, Boca Raton
2nd Place – Grace Jackson, Hagerty High School, Oviedo
3rd Place – Jackson Buzzard, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
4th Place – Jordan Miranda Juarez, Wildwood High School, Wildwood
5th Place – Peter Moywaya, The Frazer School, Gainesville
Extemporaneous Debate – Middle School Division
Champion – Aryana Sahai, A.D. Henderson University School, Boca Raton
2nd Place – Nathan Moronta, iPrep Academy North Middle School, Miami
3rd Place – Gage Papp, A.D. Henderson University School, Boca Raton
4th Place – Lara Castineyra, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville
5th Place – Sara Khial, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville
Extemporaneous Debate – High School Division
Champion – Noah De Haan, Tocoi Creek High School, St. Augustine
2nd Place – Nicholas Ostheimer, FAU High School, Boca Raton
3rd Place – Evden Tilley, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
4th Place – Elizabeth Grounds, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
5th Place – Graham Bowser, Broken Arrow Senior High School, Broken Arrow, Oklahoma
Legislative Debate – Middle School Division
Champion – Angela Ostheimer, A.D. Henderson University School, Boca Raton
2nd Place – Armaan, Seth, The Frazer School, Gainesville
3rd Place – Vincent Wen, The Frazer School, Gainesville
4th Place – Sara Khial, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville
5th Place – Emery Brooks, Seaside Neighborhood School, Santa Rosa Beach
Legislative Debate – High School Division
Champion – Hunter Hayes, Lake Nona High School, Orlando
2nd Place – Sahiti Reddy, Tocoi Creek High School, St. Augustine
3rd Place – Andria Antony, Hagerty High School, Oviedo
4th Place – Grace M. Rivera Gonzalez, Lake Nona High School, Orlando
5th Place – Samantha Faucette, Apopka High School, Apopka
Inspiring Coach Award
K. Morgan Mousley, Tocoi Creek High School, St. Augustine
Kristin Potter-Oliveri, FAU High School/A.D. Henderson University School, Boca Raton
ToryAnn Stutts, Orlando Science High School, Orlando
Freedom Cup Award
Erabelle Conant, Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School, Keystone Heights
View a full list of winners and learn more about the NCDC at www.TheGreatDebateFL.com.
ABOUT THE FLORIDA CIVICS AND DEBATE INITIATIVE:
Florida is leading the way in strengthening civics instruction and education in Florida’s kindergarten through post-secondary schools. In 2019, the Florida Department of Education and the Florida Education Foundation established a statewide debate program that focused on civics education. The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) is the first of its kind to use debate specifically as a tool to enrich civics education and to have incredibly strong support from state leaders. FCDI continues to grow exponentially and will soon have debate teams in every school district in Florida.
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For more information about the Florida Department of Education, visit www.fldoe.org.
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