SARASOTA, Fla. — Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the winner of the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) state championship will win a “Kirk Prize” of $50,000 for education.
The governor spoke at New College in Sarasota on Oct. 27 and said the FCDI state championship will take place at New College on April 18, 2026.
DeSantis said the winner of the championship competition will win a prize named after the late podcaster Charlie Kirk.
According to the announcement, the winner of the competition will win the “Kirk Prize,” a $50,000 scholarship toward education. The runners-up and finalists at the competition will also receive scholarships.
The FCDI is an educational initiative to provide K-12 students with civic education and debate programs.
Florida Lt. Gov. Jay Collins, Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas, Chancellor of the State University System Ray Rodrigues, New College President Richard Corcoran and other local representatives were also at the press conference.
WATCH the press conference here

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