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More than 400 Compete in Incubate Debate Season Kickoff

by Bill of Rights Institute on

Earlier this month, more than 400 students from Alabama, Florida, and South Carolina joined Incubate Debate for five debate tournaments to kick off the organization’s 2024-25 season.

With $25,000 in student scholarships and awards on the line this fall, students debated the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban and the use of armed military drones.

Incubate worked with volunteer judges from local communities, including college professors from Florida State University, the University of Tampa, and the University of North Florida; local elected officials; local entrepreneurs; and members of the U.S. armed forces. The judges evaluated students solely based on the merit and strength of their arguments.

One of Incubate’s League Chairs, Isabel DeSoto, described Saturday’s final round as “the most enticing debate I’ve seen.”

“Our competitors challenged each other's ideas, learned from one another, and built confidence as they debated the 1994 Federal Assault Weapons Ban,” she said.

A special congratulations to the debate champions, who each earned a $500 scholarship!

    The coach of each champion will also receive a $500 award for their hard work and support of their students.

    Certain students also earned the E.M. Hemingway Nobility Award, which is dedicated to students who demonstrated the most growth throughout the competition based on this quote by writer Ernest Hemingway:

    “There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man. True nobility is being superior to your former self.”

    In addition to the Nobility Award, other students also received the Eleanor Roosevelt Leadership Award, which recognized their exceptional leadership and kindness throughout their rounds in accordance with Roosevelt’s quote, “Good leaders inspire people to have confidence in their leader. Great leaders inspire people to have confidence in themselves.”

    Incubate Debate, which became part of the Bill of Rights Institute in September, teaches the power and practice of debate through rigorous and competitive tournaments, where young Americans come together to debate issues facing our nation.

    Learn more at IncubateDebate.org!