Fort Walton Beach High School is proud to announce that 2025 graduate William Kiker has made history by becoming the first student ever to win the Incubate Debate National Championship twice. Kiker secured his second victory at the 2025 Incubate Debate National Championship, held in Sarasota, Florida, after two intense final rounds debating the future of the Department of Education and the Department of Government Efficiency.
The prestigious championship brought together top student debaters from 10 states, including Florida, California, Washington, Georgia, and South Carolina, to discuss five key topics, ranging from immigration policy and NATO involvement to the structure of federal agencies.
Incubate Debate Founder James Fishback praised Kiker's achievement, stating: "Winning Nationals once is hard. William Kiker has just done it twice—the first time in Incubate history. He's a brilliant young man with an incredible future ahead of him." Superintendent Marcus Chambers commended Kiker for his exceptional leadership, intellect, and perseverance, adding: "William's dedication to debate and his commitment to excellence are truly inspiring. 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 continues to empower young Americans to engage in civic discourse, fostering the next generation of leaders through critical thinking and public debate. For more information, please visit https://incubatedebate.org.
(Pictured above: William Kiker pictured with Incubate Debate Founder James Fishback)
(Photo credit: Austin Henderson/Incubate Debate)