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 students to speech and debate, sharpening their research, argumentation, and debating skills while connecting them with inspiring civic leaders who embody the American Dream.
WHEN AND WHERE?
OCTOBER 17, 2026
ONLINE
NOVEMBER 14, 2026
ONLINE
DECEMBER 19, 2026
CENTRAL FLORIDA
WHO CAN ATTEND?
American Dream Debate is open to all Florida speech and debate teams. Teams participating in the in-person tournament are responsible for arranging their own travel.
BIG DREAMS. REAL OPPORTUNITIES.
FDI is making it easier than ever to start a team, get students competing, and build something extraordinary!
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Coaches Can Earn Up to $2,000! Eligible returning FCDI coaches may earn up to $2,000 by participating in four or more eligible tournaments, including at least two in-person tournaments. A maximum of one American Dream Debate tournament may count toward the FCDI coach stipend.
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Team Support: FCDI offers need-based financial assistance to eligible Florida school teams for transportation to FCDI tournaments and other approved FCDI activities, programs, and resources.
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Team Support Eligibility: New FCDI teams must register at least three students, while existing FCDI teams must register at least six students to qualify for consideration for the need-based Team Support Stipend.
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Bilingual Resources at Your Fingertips! FDI provides English- and Spanish-language resources for coaches, students, and judges, helping everyone prepare with confidence.
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Real Support from Real Educators! Need a little guidance? FDI offers virtual Zoom support sessions with bilingual educators and fellows to help you and your team get competition-ready.
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Coaching Multiple FCDI Teams: Coaches seeking stipends for multiple schools must maintain separate SpeechWire accounts, conduct independent team practices, and ensure each team independently meets all eligibility requirements.
*Separate Teams, More Opportunities! American Dream Debate (ADD) and Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) teams must operate as separate programs, with different meeting days or times. Coaches may participate in both, but registering two teams at the same school does not qualify for two (coach) stipends. Eligibility requires meaningful, separate participation in each program, not simply entering an existing team into additional tournaments.
COACH INCENTIVES | UP TO $2,000
For eligible coaches building and growing debate teams
TEAM SUPPORT | UP TO $3,000*
For team travel and supplies
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 (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.
READY TO GET INVOLVED?
Every great debate team starts with a conversation!
Whether you're an educator ready to launch a team, a parent with an interested student, or simply someone who thinks a few kids in your community might love speech and debate, we want to hear from you! No team? No experience? No problem! Complete the form below, and our team will help you explore how to get started.
IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
