By: Kathryn Hodgins, Content and Public Relations Specialist, Florida Virtual School

FLVS Speech and Debate club members participate in the National Civics & Debate Championship.

National Speech and Debate Day provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the power of student voice, critical thinking, and civic engagement. At Florida Virtual School (FLVS), our Speech and Debate programs continue to shine, bringing together talented students from across the state and giving them a platform to learn, lead, and compete at the highest levels.

Whether students are enrolled in FLVS Full Time or FLVS Flex (individual courses), opportunities abound to explore the art of persuasion, build confidence in public speaking, and join a supportive, high‑energy team of fellow communicators.

Speech and Debate at FLVS is more than a club; it’s a blend of skill‑building, friendship, and enriching opportunities. FLVS Flex students in grades 6-8 can participate in the middle school Speech and Debate team, while both FLVS Full Time and Flex high school students are eligible to participate on the high school team. Club sponsor Craig Ross describes the program as “an encouraging and open environment” where students don’t just practice speaking, they try drills, play games, tackle debate challenges, and even laugh through tricky enunciation warmups.

Competing with Confidence Across Florida and Beyond

For FLVS students, competitions bring classroom skills to life. These events allow students to showcase their growth, build connections, and experience the excitement of real-world competition, whether online or in person. 

Competitions aren’t required, but for many students, they become the heart of the experience and a fun way to bond with teammates. Whether joining a Zoom tournament or traveling to one of Florida’s seven regional competition sites, students step into events that push them, excite them, and connect them with peers from all over the state, while strengthening their speech and debate skills. 

This year, 10 FLVS students were selected for the National Civics & Debate Championship (NCDC), a four‑day experience filled with debates, activities, a mock investigative event, and even a trip to SeaWorld. Team members competed against 600 students from 15 states in a speech and debate "triathlon," demonstrating excellence in legislative debate, impromptu speaking, and extemporaneous debate. Special congratulations go to FLVS Flex student Elyannie Reyes of Tampa, who placed 12th in legislative debate, finishing in the top 3% nationally. 

Students also represented FLVS at the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI) Day at the Capitol and in Washington, D.C., as part of the Florida Debate Initiative (FDI) Civics Immersion program. These opportunities give online students the chance to participate in hands-on, face-to-face learning experiences, proving that virtual education can still offer rich social interaction, leadership development, and meaningful connections. 

Growth You Can See, Both On and Off the Screen

As the season progresses, coaches say the transformation is unmistakable. 

“We love seeing the joy on the faces of these students,” said Ross. “It has been great watching them reach their potential.”

And the academic benefits are undeniable. Debate improves research, writing, critical thinking, and test performance across all subject areas. It also enhances college applications, as many universities have their own competitive speech and debate programs and value applicants with strong communication and analytical skills. 

A Season Filled With Opportunities

The FLVS Speech and Debate team competes in 10–15 events per year, ranging from online tournaments to large‑scale state and national competitions. Students can choose from many types of events, grouped into three categories: debate, speech (public address), and interpretation, each offering unique challenges and opportunities. 

Some of these events require deep research. Others test quick thinking. But all help students build resilience, confidence, and creative problem-solving skills. 

The NCDC is considered the midpoint of the season, and the team is already preparing for the biggest event of the year: the FCDI State Championship, scheduled for the weekend of April 18, 2026.

A Place for Every Student

The best advice for new members?

Just participate.

Experience isn’t required. Students don’t have to compete. Even showing up for a warmup, trying a drill, or listening in during a meeting can spark unexpected growth.

And that’s the beauty of FLVS.

“FLVS meets each student where they are and provides them the opportunity to chart their unique course to greatness,” Ross said.

For many Speech and Debate students, that journey often begins with a single, brave step: turning on the mic.

To learn more about Speech and Debate and the more than 80 other clubs and activities FLVS offers, visit the Clubs and Activities page. 

About the Author: Content and Public Relations Specialist at Florida Virtual School, Katie Hodgins, leverages her extensive experience and passion for storytelling to highlight the people, places, and opportunities that define the FLVS community. A military veteran and lifelong learner, Katie enjoys communicating unique and innovative stories to inspire and engage the next generation. Having traveled throughout the world, she is proud to have planted roots here in Florida and with Florida Virtual School.