By AMBER PATINO
The Ponce de Leon High School Debate Team made waves this past weekend Saturday, November 8, at the University of West Florida, earning top honors in multiple categories at a regional tournament. Middle School Debate Captain Jayden White took home first place in Legislative Debate, showcasing his skills of reasoning and persuasive delivery. Meanwhile, High School Debate Captain Gavyn Purvis triumphed in the inaugural Ronald Reagan Presidential Debate, a new event launched by the Florida Civics and Debate Initiative (FCDI). His victory secures a spot at the FCDI State Championship, where he’ll compete for a $50,000 scholarship and a trophy named in honor of Charlie Kirk. Pictured above is Purvis, who was recently featured on the cover of the newly released 2025–2026 Speech and Debate Handbook. Next up for the Pirates is The Great Debate, a weekend-long tournament scheduled for January. [CONTRIBUTED]
Staff Report 