SARASOTA, Fla. (WFLA) — Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced a speech and debate competition award and scholarships at a news conference Monday at New College of Florida.
DeSantis was joined by Lieutenant Governor Jay Collins, Florida Department of Education Commissioner Anastasios Kamoutsas and New College of Florida President Richard Corcoran.
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The grand prize of the competition, which will be held next April at the college, will be named after political commentator Charlie Kirk, who was fatally shot while hosting a debate event on a university campus last month. The winner will also receive a $50,000 scholarship.
The runner up will receive a $25,000 scholarship. Semifinalists will receive a $15,000 scholarship.
The quarterfinalists will receive a $10,000 scholarship.
DeSantis said the move aligns with his administration’s education policies promoting civics education.
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“We have worked hard by to make Florida the national model for civics education,” DeSantis said. “The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative reflects our commitment to fostering students’ appreciation for America’s founding principles. The champion of the next FCDI state championship will take home the Charlie Kirk prize, renamed in honor of a young man who embodied the principles of patriotism, civil discourse, and open debate. The generous scholarship awards for the winner and other top competitors will be a great memorial to Kirk’s legacy.”
In addition to the debate prize, New College of Florida officials will also erect a statue of Kirk on campus.
