Governor Ron DeSantis announced that Florida’s statewide high‑school speech and debate championship trophy will be renamed the “Charlie Kirk Prize” in tribute to the late conservative activist. The winner of the 2026 competition at New College of Florida will receive a $50,000 scholarship, while the runner‑up and other finalists will receive substantial awards.
The move aligns with the state’s broader push to strengthen civics and debate education through the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI). DeSantis said the victory prize will honor Kirk—who died in September and was known for campus debates and conservative activism—because he “embodied the principles of patriotism, civil discourse, and open debate.”
Supporters argue the renamed prize signals a commitment to high‑school civics and the development of critical‑thinking skills at a time when many students lack exposure to formal debate or patriotic curriculum. DeSantis noted that Florida now has speech‑and‑debate programs in all 67 counties—a substantial increase from just a few years ago.
