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SEMINOLE COUNTY | APRIL 4, 2026

SAVE THE DATE

BUILDING THE DREAM
THROUGH SPEECH AND DEBATE

A FREE, BILINGUAL TOURNAMENT

The Florida Debate Initiative (FDI) and Hispanics Inspiring Students’ Performance and Achievement (HISPA) are excited to launch the "American Dream Debate," a unique bilingual (Spanish and English) World Schools Debate Tournament. This collaboration will bring a powerful platform for youth empowerment, drawing upon a combination of HISPA’s strengths in Hispanic community outreach and mentorship with FDI’s established reputation in civics, speech, and debate education.

Through this program, we aim to introduce Hispanic students to speech and debate, sharpening students' research, argumentation, and debating skills while connecting them with inspiring civic leaders who embody the American Dream.

WHEN AND WHERE?

SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2026

SEMINOLE COUNTY

WHO CAN ATTEND?

The American Dream Debate is open to ALL South and Central Florida speech and debate teams willing to arrange their team's travel.

Registration will open on Speechwire soon!

Student at Lake Brantley High School
Founder of the Hispanic Debate Society

LUIS DAVID LATOZEFSKY

"Having speech and debate in my life has allowed me to feel confident. Writing and delivering speeches helps me improve my English and my speaking skills. This year, my original oratory is about setting your goals, and so far I have won first place in the first two competitions. And none of this would be possible without the Florida Debate Initiative."

TOURNAMENT FORMAT

THE TOURNAMENT WILL INCLUDE 4 ROUNDS

Rounds 1-3, teams will be randomly assigned proposition (agrees) or opposition (disagrees).

In the first three rounds, students will debate in their first language. in the fourth round (final) round, students will compete in their second/third language.

For students whose first language is Spanish, round four will be in English. For those whose first language is English, round four will be in Spanish.