Florida Debate Initiative Announces 2026 Civic Immersion Cohort: 40 Students from across Florida selected for an all-expenses-paid leadership-based learning experience in Washington, D.C.
- Caroline Hamon
- Feb 2
- 3 min read
ORLANDO, Fla. — February 2, 2026 — The Florida Debate Initiative (FDI) is proud to announce its 2026 Civic Immersion Cohort, an exceptionally selective group of student leaders chosen from hundreds of applicants statewide. Selections are made using a rubric-based review of each student’s application packet.
In general, FDI considers academic readiness, the strength of written responses, demonstrated interest in civics and public service, and a track record of leadership and community involvement.
The Civic Immersion Experience is designed to deepen students’ understanding of how our government works, while strengthening the real-world research, public speaking, and leadership skills they sharpen through competitive speech and debate. Through this experience, students will engage in structured learning focused on civic literacy, public service, and leadership development, connecting classroom learning to the institutions, history, and people who shape public policy in Washington, D.C.
“Civic Immersion is more than a trip. It’s a life-changing experience. We’re inviting these students to step into the story of America with open eyes and brave hearts: to learn how this nation works, to love it enough to serve it, and to lead with both conviction and compassion,” said FDI President Abraham López. “Our founders didn’t hand us a finished product. They handed us a responsibility. And when I look at this cohort, I see young people ready to carry that responsibility with faith in our future and a deep respect for the work it takes to keep our democracy strong.”
The Florida Debate Initiative proudly recognizes the following students as members of the 2026 Civic Immersion Cohort:
Allison Acosta, Miami Palmetto Senior High School
Giana Castillo, Newsome High School
Allison Costine, Strawberry Crest High School
Jodany Delrosario-Arcadia, Booker High School
Miranda Martinez-Bello, Bishop Moore Catholic High School
Mia Perez, School for Advanced Studies
Alexis Scheiner, Space Coast Junior/Senior High School
Kailyn Stack, The Villages Charter School
Sofia Vilchez, Franklin Academy Charter School
Jazlyn Montauk, Santa Fe High School
Isabella Reeder, Fort Walton Beach High School
Scarlett Baker, Gainesville High School
Mylin Ours, Estero High School
Sofia Dirawi, Lake Nona High School
Riley Phipps, Walton High School
Isabella Applegate, Eastside High School
Isabella Gill, Fort Walton Beach High School
Miranda French, Lake Brantley High School
Ayla Trindade de Moraes, Boone High School
Cali Chamberlain, Keystone Heights Junior/Senior High School
Jeayan Louissaint, American Senior High School
Anyely Roque Perera, Fort Pierce Central High School
Isaura Valdes, Hialeah-Miami Lakes Senior High School
David Arutyunyan, Florida Atlantic University (FAU) High School
Alexander Dunn, St. Johns County Independent
Chetan Posani, James S. Rickards High School
Yo-Yo Qu, Ponte Vedra High School
Emmett Ryan, Okeechobee High School
Stefano Sanchez, Miami Beach Senior High School
Caleb Santos, SLAM Academy at Apollo Beach
Zellen Meloun, Broward Virtual School
Matias Gonzalez, St. Petersburg Collegiate High School
Miguel Komaroff, Ponte Vedra High School
Jarrett Kelley, Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies
Theodore Applegate, Jacksonville Classical Academy
Levi Hartner, Smith Preparatory Academy
Nicholas Becker, Samuel Wolfson School for Advanced Studies
Oscar Rubio-Flores, Wildwood Middle High School
Cole Cassady, Bishop Kenny High School
Ashton Black, Walton High School
###
About Florida Debate Initiative (FDI)
The Florida Debate Initiative promotes competitive speech and debate across Florida’s middle and high schools, empowering emerging student leaders with essential communication, leadership, and critical thinking skills. Through its partnership with the Florida Department of Education’s Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI), FDI aims to make speech and debate accessible to students from all backgrounds across
the state. To learn more about the Florida Debate Initiative, go to www.FloridaDebate.org or follow us o social media @FloridaDebate.
Comments