Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas has announced the winners of the first Sunshine State Debate, a new event organized in recognition of America’s upcoming 250th anniversary. The competition brought together nearly 100 students from Florida College System institutions and focused on the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Lillian Clay from North Florida College won first place, while Justice Robinson from Hillsborough College took second place. Both were recognized at the finals by Commissioner Kamoutsas. Mark Harrison, named 2026 Florida Teacher of the Year, joined sponsor representatives to honor all finalists and semifinalists.
“I was honored to announce the winners of the inaugural Sunshine State Debate. Throughout the competition, students’ mastery of civic discourse, thoughtful persuasion and a deep understanding of the constitutional ideals that shaped our nation were on display,” said Commissioner Kamoutsas. “Under Governor DeSantis’ steadfast leadership, civics has become an essential component of every student’s education, and the Sunshine State Debate demonstrated Florida’s commitment to the values that formed our constitutional republic.”
Scholarship awards for competition winners were provided by both the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and the Florida Council of Resource Development. The Ronald Reagan Foundation and Institute will also send this year’s first-place winner to California as a judge at the National Debate Championship with all expenses paid.
The debate used a format modeled after presidential debates associated with Ronald Reagan, focusing on civility, personality, and storytelling. The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute supported logistics for the event, offered virtual training for participants and coaches, and held an in-person orientation.
The event was made possible through support from several organizations including the Florida College System Foundation, Florida Student Success Center, Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute, Association of Florida Colleges, Fifth Third Bank, Lawson Huck Gonzalez PLLC, and Tallahassee State College.
The Florida Department of Education, headquartered in Tallahassee at 325 West Gaines Street, oversees public education throughout Florida. It works with parents, educators, and communities to promote student achievement across early learning through higher education levels. The department provides academic resources as well as professional training for both students and teachers to support educational success statewide.
