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FCDI National Civics and Debate Championship

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General information

This information is from a tournament in a past season!

This is a High School tournament in Florida.

View manager contact information

We are monitoring Tropical Storm Nicole. As of 5PM, Tuesday, November 8, The Great Debate is still scheduled as planned. We will update coaches and post here if anything changes. 

 

We will be presenting our Inspiring Coach Award and Freedom Cup award to coaches and students.

If you are a student, you can nominate your coach by following the instructions in the “Inspiring Coach Award” document in the tournament files.

If you are a coach, you can nominate your students by following the instructions in the “Freedom Cup Award” document in the tournament files.

Instructions on how to submit the nominations is on the document. If your nomination is on a separate document, please make sure to include the school and coach/student name.

The deadline to submit them to fcdi@fldoe.org is 1:00PM Friday, October 28.

 

 

You are cordially invited to the The Great Debate, the second National Civics and Debate Championship (NCDC) sponsored by the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative and the Florida Education Foundation. The NCDC will be held November 11-13, 2022 at the Caribe Royale in Orlando, Florida.

This event will offer a unique competitive experience where students must compete in a different event each of the three days of the competition to demonstrate the breadth of their civics knowledge and the diversity of their communications skills. The tournament will culminate in a special awards ceremony in the beautiful hotel ballroom.

All middle and high school students are invited to attend. There will be a middle school division and an open high school division.

No independent entries. Coaches must register students.

 

We are pleased to offer student scholarships to offset the cost of attending. Scholarship amounts are $1000 for Florida students and $1250 for out-of-state students.  There is no limit on the number of students per school who can apply for scholarships.

The deadline to apply for scholarships for Florida schools is midnight, September 16. Scholarship winners from Florida schools will be notified by September 23.

The deadline to apply for scholarshisp for out-of-state schools is midnight, September 30. Scholarship winners from out-of-state schools will be notified by October 7.

Students may apply for scholarships here.

 

Registration:

Registration is online at www.speechwire.com.

We have a maximum capacity of 380 students, so register early!  AS OF OCTOBER 7, WE ARE AT MAX CAPACITY. IF YOU WISH TO PLACE STUDENTS ON A WAITLIST, PLEASE EMAIL BETH ESKIN AT ELIZABETH.ESKIN@FLDOE.ORG.

Registration opens August 5 and will close October 21 or when we reach max capacity.

Check-in will be from 9AM-Noon Friday, Nov 11. All coaches/teams must physically check in to pick up tournament materials.

Check-in will feature a Welcome Fair which includes a college fair, games, music, beverages, and fun. Lunches will be provided as part of your registration fee.

 

Main Events:

  • Friday, Nov 11-Congressional Debate
    • Students will submit legislation about one of the following topics:
      • America’s Founding Principles
      • The Constitution
      • Rights and Responsibilities of Citizens
      • The Legislative Branch
      • SCOTUS
      • Elections
    • Legislation should be submitted to Apryl Taylor at taylorfcdi@gmail.com

 by Noon, Wednesday, October 5, 2022. Please write NCDC Legislation in the subject line.

  • The packet will be released no later than Wednesday, October 19, 2022.
  • There will be two (2) one and a half hour sessions of Congressional Debate. Students will remain in the same chamber with different judges each session.

 

  • Saturday, Nov 12-Extemporaneous Debate
    • Resolutions will be announced before each round. Students will then have 30 minutes to prepare. Please see the “Files for Download” tab for complete event rules and timing.
    • There will be three (3) rounds of competition.
    • Topic areas for resolutions are:
      • Round 1-Federalism
      • Round 2-Interest Groups and the Media
      • Round 3-Bill of Rights

 

  • Sunday, Nov 13-Impromptu Speaking
    • Students will be asked to defend, refute, or qualify a quote from a famous American.
    • There will be two rounds of competition.
    • Quotes will be drawn from historical time periods:
      • Round 1-Colonial Era to the Civil War
      • Round 2-Reconstruction to 21st Century

 

Awards:

We will offer awards to the top competitors in each of our main events at a festive closing ceremony.

 

We will also recognize the top National Civics and Debate Champions based on results from the combined main events.

 

Supplemental Activities:

These activities are included in your registration fee:

Friday, Nov 11-Welcome Fair – A fun festival including food and beverages, entertainment, and a College Fair.

Friday, Nov 11-Ice Cream Social – With a DJ and other fun activities on the pool deck.

Saturday, Nov 12-Civics Trivia Contest – A lively contest in which everyone can participate. You don’t want to miss this one!

 

Judges: 1 judge for every 2 entries or fraction thereof.

 

Meals: Meals will be provided for the competitor and one adult as part of the registration fee. Meals include:

  • Friday-lunch, dinner and ice cream social
  • Saturday-breakfast, lunch, dinner
  • Sunday-breakfast, lunch

 

Please note any special diets when you place your meal order. We do offer vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free options.

 

Lodging:

 

The official tournament hotel is the gorgeous Caribe Royale Hotel located close to Orlando’s many theme parks and attractions. We have negotiated a group rate of $129/night for two adults. There is a $15 per person charge for additional occupants.

 

The cut-off date for reservations is October 11, 2022 or until the block is full.

 

Reservations can be made using this link: https://book.passkey.com/e/50312131

 

If you need additional help or wish to make reservations via phone, please call 888-258-7501.

 

If you are tax-exempt, please provide tax-exempt information when making your reservation. You MUST bring your tax-exempt form when checking in.

 

T-shirts:

Two t-shirts are included in each student registration fee. Please indicate sizes when registering.

Additional shirts will be available for purchase on site.

 

Coach Recognition Awards:

We will recognize several coaches for their contributions to civics and debate. More information TBA.

 

Registration Fees:

There is a $200 entry fee for each competitor.

NOTE ON FEES AND SCHOLARSHIPS:

Scholarships will cover most costs and make attending free or very low cost for scholarship recipients. It covers entry fees, meals, two hotel rooms for two nights (one for the student and one for an adult), and funds to offset transportation. There is no limit on how many students from one school may apply for scholarships.

Sample cost for one student and one adult=$1000

  • $200 entry fee
  • 2 hotel rooms for 2 nights @$129/each=$520
  • $280 transportation

There are several options to pay fees:

  • Via credit card in advance of the tournament at Link TBA.
  • Via check no later than October 28, 2022:
    • Mail to: Florida Education Foundation, 325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1524, Tallahassee, FL 32399-0400
  • Via check at registration the morning of November 11, 2021.
  • We cannot accept cash.

 

Accommodations/Special Needs:

To ask questions about accessibility or request accommodations, please contact Beth Eskin at 407-929-6712 or Elizabeth.eskin@fldoe.org. At least two weeks’ advance notice will help us provide seamless access.

 

Important Dates and Deadlines:

  • August 5-Registration Opens
  • August 15-Scholarship applications open
  • September 15 -Scholarship applications close
  • September 23-Scholarship recipients notified
  • October 5-Legilsation submission deadline
  • October 11-Hotel reservations close
  • October 21-Tournament registration closes
  • October 22-Drop fees in effect

 

Days of Tournament Contact: Beth Eskin -- 407-929-6712

Follow us on social media @civicsanddebate

www.civicsanddebate.com 

Manager contact information

Beth Eskin
Email address: elizabeth.eskin@fldoe.org
Phone number: 4079296712

Mailing address

Florida Education Foundation
325 West Gaines Street, Suite 1524
Tallahassee, FL 32399

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