SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™ is proud to announce that two of its students, Jillian Pereira (8th grade) and Emerson Blue (7th grade), won first place in the Florida Debate Initiative’s Veterans Day Speech Contest. Chloe O’Donoghue (8th grade) also placed second in her division. The contest invited students from across Florida to submit speeches on “The Importance of Civic Duty,” offering young citizens the opportunity to reflect on civic responsibility and share their unique perspectives through speechwriting.

Abraham Lopez, President of the Florida Debate Initiative, traveled to SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™ to surprise the winners and present the awards during a special assembly on Thursday, December 19th. Both Jillian and Emerson took home a $100 cash prize and Chloe took home a $75 cash prize while also earning recognition for their thoughtful speeches, which were judged on both written and oral delivery. Daisy Uhlfelder was also recognized for placing in the top ten in the 8th Grade division.

“We are incredibly proud of Jillian, Emerson, Chloe, and Daisy for this outstanding achievement,” said Kim Mixson, Principal of SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™. “Their success highlights the importance of giving students opportunities to explore meaningful topics, develop public speaking skills, and embrace civic responsibility. They are shining examples of the leaders of tomorrow.”

The contest required students to write and deliver a speech between 4 and 6 minutes, accompanied by an audio file showcasing their delivery skills. Competing at the state level, Jillian, Emerson, Chloe, and Daisy’s work stood out for its depth, clarity, and passion.

“This is an incredible accomplishment for our students,” shared Leslie Kilpatrick, Speech and Debate Coach at SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™. “Our students embraced the challenge with dedication and creativity. Their ability to articulate the importance of civic duty was truly inspiring.”

The Florida Debate Initiative (FDI) is dedicated to empowering Florida’s students with the transformative skills of communication, leadership, and critical thinking through competitive debate and civics education. Abraham Lopez, President of FDI emphasized the importance of the contest, “This event bridges generations, honors our veterans, and empowers students to lead with purpose. It’s a testament to how speech and debate can inspire young people to serve their communities with dedication and pride.”

The SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™ community celebrates this exciting achievement and remains committed to offering programs, like speech and debate, that prepare students to succeed as engaged citizens and future leaders. To learn more about the SEASIDE SCHOOL™ and its programming, visit SeasideSchools.net. Lottery applications for the 2025-2026 school year open on January 8, 2025.

About THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ Founded in 1996, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ is one of Florida’s oldest and most successful public charter schools, serving students in grades 5-12 through SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™ and Seacoast Collegiate High School with a mission to prepare students for success in college, careers, and beyond through a responsive, challenging, and equitable education model tailored to meet the unique needs of adolescents and young adults. Recognized as a top-performing school in Florida, THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ has been an “A” school for 21+ consecutive years, ranking in the top 1% of public schools statewide in math and science. Students at THE SEASIDE SCHOOL™ benefit from a tuition-free education valued at over $275,000, complete with up to 60 college credits, robust extracurricular opportunities, and a mission-driven focus on leadership, community service, and personal growth. For more information, visit SeasideSchools.net.

Media Contact Bobby Parker Parker Gene Creative bobby@parkergenecreative.com 850.797.1987

SEASIDE NEIGHBORHOOD SCHOOL™ Students Win in Statewide Veterans Day Speech Contest