The Florida Debate Initiative (FDI), in partnership with The Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI), hosts Florida’s premier Statewide Speech and Debate Tournaments.
OVIEDO, FL– The Florida Debate Initiative (FDI) is excited to launch its Ambassador Program, designed to support the partnership with the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) in organizing and running speech and debate tournaments across the state. These tournaments will foster critical thinking, public speaking, and civic engagement among Florida’s students. The state has been divided into six regions—Northeast, Northwest, Southeast, South, Central, and Gulf Coast—to ensure widespread access to competitive speech and debate opportunities. October 19th, the first round of tournaments kicked off in the Northwest, Southeast, and South regions, bringing together more than 175 students from 34 schools eager to showcase their public speaking and communication skills. The FDI Ambassador Program features an elite group of 10 Florida coaches, mentors, and leaders who will guide regional teams through this competitive season. Each Regional Ambassador organizes tournaments, coaches teams, and mentors the next generation of speech and debate champions. Their leadership and dedication are pivotal in building a legacy of excellence in speech and debate across the state. "We’re thrilled to introduce this year’s FDI Ambassadors," said Abraham López, FDI President. "These outstanding individuals are not just leading their regions; they’re setting the standard for excellence and inspiring students to reach their full potential." Meet the Champions Leading the Charge.
Southeast Region
Hollie Adams, a 16-year teaching veteran, coaches speech and debate at Okeechobee High School. She has been instrumental in organizing competitive opportunities, including the first FCDI elementary tournament in 2023.
South Region
Natalia Allen leads the social studies department in Miami-Dade County Public Schools and has guided her debate teams to National Speech and Debate Tournaments. A graduate of the University of Miami, Natalia brings her advocacy for speech and debate into her leadership as an Ambassador.
Mercedes Cortes has a diverse background in speech and debate, elementary education, and behavior analysis. She leads her students to victory in various debate categories while organizing multicultural events that empower students to express themselves creatively.
Northwest Region
Katrina Brominguez is a teacher at Fort Walton Beach High School and the Head of Speech and Debate for Okaloosa County. She has grown the program from four to nine schools, earning over $6,000 in scholarships for her students.
Claude Smith, a lifelong Florida resident and Army combat veteran, teaches civics and performing arts. His extensive background in leadership, law enforcement, and education equips him to engage students in competitive speech and debate, helping them build vital communication skills.
Central Region
Tyler Cheung was named Orange County Public Schools Social Studies Teacher of the Year for 2024-2025. His passion for speech and debate has earned him recognition as the FCDI Central Florida Coach of the Year.
Sophia Cheung, a University of Alabama graduate, teaches at Orange County Public Schools and brings her love of education and community engagement to the FDI. With a passion for mentorship, Sophia works tirelessly to cultivate students' public speaking and debate skills.
Gulf Coast Region
Daniel Klemm teaches U.S. History and civics in Hillsborough County and coaches debate at Randall Middle School, where his teams have achieved state-level success. He was named the 2023 FCDI Gulf Coast Coach of the Year and continues fostering a winning academic excellence culture.
Elizabeth “Liz” Shannon, a Gulf Coast native, has taught civics since 2011 and has been coaching speech and debate since 2022 at Sarasota School of Arts and Sciences. A Master’s graduate in Educational Leadership from USF, Liz’s leadership has made her a valuable figure in fostering student voices in debate.
Northeast Region
Robert "Rob" Baker, a seasoned criminal defense attorney and lifelong debate enthusiast, has been involved in competitive speech and debate since 1988. A University of Florida graduate, Rob combines his passion for debate with his legal career, mentoring students and young lawyers. The FDI Ambassadors are at the forefront of competitive speech and debate in their regions. They build, train, and guide teams toward success while fostering a culture of academic excellence and personal growth. Tournaments will be held throughout the academic year, with schedules varying by region. For more information about the FDI Ambassador Program, the six regions, and the tournament schedule, visit the FDI website at www.FloridaDebate.org
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