Florida Names $50K Debate Scholarship After Charlie Kirk

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced the establishment of the Charlie Kirk Prize, a prestigious scholarship awarded at the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) State Championship, which will be held at New College of Florida in Sarasota on April 5, 2026. The top prize, named in honor of the late conservative commentator Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot during a debate event last year, includes a $50,000 scholarship, with runner-up, semifinalists, and quarterfinalists receiving $25,000, $15,000, and $10,000 respectively. This initiative aligns with DeSantis' efforts to promote civics education statewide, expanding the FCDI to over 330 teams across all 67 Florida school districts, and is funded by philanthropist Patricia Duggan and the Florida Prepaid Foundation. Winners will also get invitations to the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California, supported by the Ronald Reagan Foundation. Additionally, New College of Florida will honor Kirk with a statue on campus, and DeSantis highlighted a partnership with Turning Point USA to launch Club America chapters in Florida high schools to encourage civic engagement and advocacy for American values. The scholarships and debate competition serve as a memorial to Kirk's legacy of patriotism, civil discourse, and open debate, marking one of the most significant investments in high school debate education in the state.