Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Hosts First Statewide Debate
Published on: Oct 15, 2020
Florida Civics and Debate Initiative Hosts First Statewide Debate
~ 8 Students from NE & Central FL Win ~
Tallahassee, Fla. -- (October 15, 2020) Last week, 176 students from the Northeast and Central regions of Florida’s Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) competed in debate for the first time as part of the FCDI’s series of competitions. The program’s Northeast and Central regions hosted the first series of competitions in a virtual debate and many stood out with the strongest, most logically constructed, evidence-based argument.
Winners from Northeast and Central Florida FCDI schools included:
- Camryn Anctil, South Lake High School, Groveland
- Kayden-Harmony Greenstein, South Lake High School, Groveland
- Mya Londono, South Lake High School, Groveland
- Jacqueline Moreno-Trejo, South Sumter Middle School, Webster
- Darcy Sibiski, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville
- Lexie Kade, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville
- Kaylee Yokomi, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville
- Ali Williams, Kanapaha Middle School, Gainesville
“I’m very proud of all of our student debaters. Speech and debate empowers our young citizens with the knowledge and skills necessary to advocate for themselves and actively contribute to their own governance,” said Commissioner of Education Richard Corcoran. “As Fredrick Douglass stated, Education is freedom, and speech and debate provides students the ability to strengthen their minds to tackle all of life’s challenges. Congratulations to all of our winners!”
“This was a big week for FCDI, being our first tournament experience. Many of the participants were competing for the first time, analyzing important issues from different perspectives, and critically thinking, while building connections they’ve learned through their education to the real world.” said FCDI Director Beth Eskin. “I heartily congratulate all of the winners and am so proud of all of the participants in our first tournament.”
Implementing the online events was a team effort that included varsity student debaters, parents, and college faculty, debate coaches and college students to help administer and judge the tournaments.
“The level of volunteer involvement from so many experienced individuals speaks to the mentorship we provide for our novice competitors,” added Eskin. “Their feedback offers so much to student growth, and we’re grateful for their support.”
Judges and volunteers included:
- 40 varsity debate students
- 10 current members of the University of Florida (UF) Speech & Debate Team and Debate Coaches
- Dr. Amy Martinelli, UF Assistant Director of Forensics and faculty, UF Dial Center for Written & Oral Communication and Affiliate Faculty UF Graham Center for Public Service
- Dr. Stephanie Webster, Associate Director, UF Dial Center for Written & Oral Communication
- Dr. Lisa Athearn, Faculty, UF Dial Center for Written & Oral Communication
- Mr. Albert Berdellans, Vice President, Marketing & Communications at Mana Group, Miami, Florida and UF alumni
- Mr. Nick Thompson, Attorney, St. Petersburg, FL and former Director of Forensics, Florida State University
- Dr. Jean DeHart, Professor and Former Chair of the Communication Department, Appalachian State University, Boone, NC
- Mr. Matt Whitman, Former Speech Coach, University of Texas at Austin
- Mr. Darren Epping, Assistant Director of Forensics & Director of Public Speaking, Kansas State University Department of Communication Studies