Gov. Ron DeSantis announced the winner of Florida's speech and debate challenge will receive a scholarship in honor of late conservative activist Charlie Kirk. The debate state championship will be held at New College of Florida on April 5, 2026, in Sarasota.
Speaking at New College, Gov. DeSantis detailed that the following prizes would be awarded from private donations through the Florida Education Foundation to commemorate Kirk, who was killed while speaking at a campus event at Utah Valley University on Sept. 10.
- 1st prize: $50,000
- 2nd prize: $25,000
- Semifinalists: $15,000 each
- Quarterfinalists:$10,000 each
In September, New College of Florida announced it would commission a statue in memory of Kirk on its Sarasota campus.
Gov. Ron DeSantis also announced the winner and runner-up of Florida's debate championship will receive invitations to attend the National Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate in California. The debate, in recognition of the former president's legacy, aims to promote principled leadership, civil discourse, and effective communication.
Pushing for more speech, DeSantis also declared the state would be partnering with Turning Point USA to provide high school students the opportunity to open their own Club America chapter, a program designed to promote "values of freedom, free markets, and limited government."
Kirk founded Turning Point in 2012, including a chapter in Florida a few years later. His following also grew in part through social media, where his account gained followers in the millions.
"When this happened, people who didn't know who Charlie Kirk was are watching his videos," DeSantis said. "You are starting to see more young people take an interest and be educated, and now they want to get involved. They have had a huge ground swell in interest ever since that tragic day, and I know that they're gonna make sure that they have the infrastructure to help accommodate all the young people that want to get involved."
Highlighting the country's history, DeSantis also announced more plans for America 250, which commemorates the 250th anniversary of the United States' founding next year on July 4, 2026. The initiative includes statues by the state honoring America's founding fathers, including Benjamin Franklin, with more planned for the future.
