The FDI

36 YEAS, ZERO NAYS! 🎉 The Florida Speech and Debate Education Act has officially PASSED the Senate Floor! This is a landmark moment for students across the state, and it would not have been possible without incredible champions in the Senate. A heartfelt thank you to bill sponsor, President Pro Tempore @jasonbrodeur, and co-sponsors Senators @DannyBurgessFL, @DonGaetz, @SenatorOsgood, and @RalphMasullo for their unwavering dedication to Florida's students. We are also deeply grateful for the remarkable bipartisan support from our additional co-sponsors, who joined the movement today: Senate President @Sen_Albritton, and Senators @Arrington4Fl, @loriBerman, @MackBernardFL, @JimBoydFL, LaVon Bracy Davis, @jenn_bradley, @ColleenLBurton, @AlexisMCalatayu, @NickDiCeglie, @IleanaGarciaUSA, @ErinGrall, @JoeGruters, @Gayle_Harrell, @edHooper1, @ShevrinJones, @leek_tj, @jonmartinesq, @debbie_Mayfield, @SenatorMcClain, @kathleenpass , @senpizzo , @TinaPolsky, @SenatorAMR, @darrylrouson, @Barbarasharief, @cime90, @CarlosGSmith, @SodFatherFL , @JayTrumbull, @SenTomWright, and @Clay_Yarborough. This overwhelming, bipartisan show of support speaks volumes. Florida's students deserve every bit of it. Thank you! 🙏

What an EPIC weekend in Orlando! Our varsity-level students showed up and showed OUT at Pro Camp, diving deep into Lincoln-Douglas, Extemporaneous Speech, Extemporaneous Debate, Impromptu, and Legislative Debate. The grind never stops and neither do these students. 🏆🔥

We aren’t trying to GLAZE you here, but we think you deserve a donut (or a DOZEN). Don’t forget! When you purchase a dozen Krispy Kreme donuts through out GroupRaise, 50% of the proceeds go to Florida Debate Initiative! You deserve a donut, click the link now: groupraise.com/offer-campaign… 🍩

Forget the leprechaun. 🍀 The real gold is a first place trophy, a superior rating, and a bid to State. Happy St. Patrick's Day to the competitors who are out here making their own luck. ☘️✨🏆

We are ONE WEEK away from a DOUBLE-HEADER weekend of workshops! We are taking over Orlando on March 20-22 with DebatEd 201 for coaches and Pro Camp for varsity-level students — all to sharpen skills, connect with peers, and walk away ready to close out the season stronger than ever. Orlando, here we come!

Elizabeth shares her story about how she first got started in speech and debate. She believes that speech and debate in important for students her age because it introduces her to new ideas, new people, and new experiences.

Today, the Florida House unanimously passed SB 1062, the Florida Speech and Debate Education Act. We are grateful to Senator @jasonbrodeur and Representative @erikaboothFL for their leadership in advancing this effort. This is real-life civics. Real change takes persistence, partnership, and people willing to keep showing up for students. We’re thankful to the Florida Legislature for helping bring this effort to this point, and we remain committed to the work ahead as the process continues. Stay tuned.

🎤 Attention students in grades 3–8! A new speech contest is just around the corner, and this one is extra special. In honor of America's 250th anniversary, we want to hear what YOU love most about our country! Answer the prompt: What do you love most about America — and why does it make you proud? Submit your speech by April 20th for a chance to win $100! Head to floridadebate.org/speech-contests to learn more and enter. 🇺🇸

🎉 Happy Birthday to our incredible Board of Directors member, Marc Adler! 🎂 Your dedication to the Florida Debate Initiative and the students we serve makes all the difference.

Breaking News: The Florida House is set to take up SB 1062, the Florida Speech and Debate Education Act. We are one step away from the Governor’s desk. This is a major moment for students, teachers, coaches, and communities across Florida who believe in the power of speech and debate to build confidence, critical thinking, and civic leadership. Please join us in thanking every legislator, advocate, educator, student, and supporter who helped bring this bill to this point. Your voices have made all the difference. A special shout-out to Rep. @erikaboothFL for her leadership and for championing speech and debate every step of the way. Tag Rep. Booth and help us thank her for all she has done to help carry this effort forward.

We are proud to introduce the Super Speakers of Florida Debate Initiative. These educators are the future of Florida as they work to build and elevate K-5 speech and debate education.

Meet Mackenzie Fulton, a Rickards High School student whose life was changed by debate. Now, she's speaking up for SB 1062: The Florida Speech and Debate Education Act, and her words say it all: “It changed my trajectory.”

Yes, we debated my Debate Bill. And this was my closing argument: When dialogue exists, violence becomes unnecessary. Thank you to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle for helping pass this bill!

DON'T FORGET: Pro Camp applications close March 10! Join us March 20–22 for an intensive weekend of speech and debate training built for varsity-level competitors. This is your chance to level up alongside the real MVPs and get coached by some of the most experienced names in the game. 🏆 📅 March 20–22 📍Orlando, FL 🔗 Apply by March 10, 2026 at floridadebate.org/procamp

We are SO close to the finish line! Wishing all students, coaches, and judges good luck this weekend at the final in-person FCDI Qualifiers for Gulf Coast, Southeast, North Central, and South regions. We can’t believe we’re only a month away from the State Championship!

Attention Coaches: Purchase a box (or two!) of Krispy Kreme donuts and bring them to this weekend’s tournament as an early morning surprise! Purchasing a box of Krispy Kreme donuts directly supports Florida Debate Initiative when you join our GroupRaise. Join us today in raising money for speech and debate by visiting groupraise.com/offer-campaign…

This week marks a historic moment! The Florida Speech and Debate Education Act is being heard on both the Senate and House Floors, bringing us closer than ever to becoming law! None of this would be possible without the incredible support of our bill sponsors, Senator Jason Brodeur and Representative Booth @erikaboothFL, and the growing coalition of co-sponsors from both sides who believe in this mission, including: Senator Danny Burgess @DannyBurgessFL, Senator Don Gaetz, Senator Ralph Massullo, Jr. @RalphMassullo, Senator Rosalind Osgood @SenatorOsgood, Rep. Doug Bankson @DougforFL, Rep. Yvette Benarroch @BenarrochYvette, Rep. Anne Gerwig @anne_gerwig, Rep. Johanna López @JohannaForFL, Rep. Debra Tendrich @DebraForHouse, Rep. Kimberly Berfield, Rep. Kimberly Daniels @KimDanielsFl, Rep. Lisa Dunkley, Rep. Rita Harris @RitaForFlorida, Rep. Yvonne Hinson @YvonneHinsonFL, Rep. Kim Kendall, Rep. Kiyan Michael @kiyanforfl, Rep. Danny Nix, Jr. @DannyNixJr, Rep. Paula Stark @Paula4FLHouse47, Rep. Susan Valdés @SusanLValdesFL, and Rep. Taylor Yarkosky @TaylorYarkosky. We are beyond grateful!

Today, we celebrate Florida’s statehood as the 27th state of the United States of America! We can't think of a better way to honor this great state than by watching young Floridians learn to use their voice, think critically, and lead with conviction. Speech and debate has always been at the heart of our republic.

Meet Riley Jane, a proud member of the 2026 Salute to Service cohort. For Riley, this program is about more than résumé building; it's personal. “I joined Salute to Service because my dad is a disabled veteran from the Air Force, so it means so much to me that there are other kids out there that are just as willing to connect to the military families and affiliates as much as I am.” She's proof that one student with a passion and a plan can make a real difference. We're so proud to have her in this year’s Salute to Service cohort.

It’s time to plug in, lock in, and check in for another online tournament!⚡️Thank you to all judges and coaches who make these online tournaments go smoothly. Good luck students!