Fort Walton Beach High School senior William Kiker has become the first student to win the Incubate Debate National Championship twice, securing his second victory at the 2025 competition held in Sarasota, Florida.
- Kiker, a 2025 graduate, won the championship after competing in two intense final rounds that focused on debating the future of the Department of Education and the Department of Government Efficiency.
The national championship drew top student debaters from 10 states, including Florida, California, Washington, Georgia and South Carolina. Participants discussed five key topics ranging from immigration policy and NATO involvement to the structure of federal agencies.
“Winning Nationals once is hard. William Kiker has just done it twice — the first time in Incubate history,” said James Fishback, founder of Incubate Debate. “He’s a brilliant young man with an incredible future ahead of him.”
Superintendent Marcus Chambers praised Kiker’s achievement, highlighting his leadership and academic abilities.
- “William’s dedication to debate and his commitment to excellence are truly inspiring,” Chambers said. “His ability to think critically, articulate his ideas, and compete at the highest level sets an incredible example for students across our district. We are beyond proud of his accomplishments and look forward to seeing all that he achieves in the future.”
Incubate Debate focuses on empowering young Americans to engage in civic discourse and fostering the next generation of leaders through critical thinking and public debate.
