Jayden Yu Advances to the National Championship After Winning the Alabama Regional Competition of the Ronald Reagan Debate Series

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 17, 2025

Jayden Yu Advances to the National Championship After Winning the Alabama Regional Competition of the Ronald Reagan Debate Series

(Simi Valley, CA) The Reagan Foundation proudly announces Jayden Yu, a senior at Longhorn Independent, as the winner of the California Regional Competition of the Ronald Reagan Debate Series which was hosted on Saturday, April 12 at Northridge High School. This fiercely contested event showcased the incredible talent and determination of local high school students who demonstrated exceptional skill in persuasive public speaking and respectful discourse.

The Final Round of the Alabama Regional Competition showcased an exceptional performance by Yu, whose eloquence, depth of analysis, and compelling arguments on the resolution—"The US education system should be managed by the states, not the federal government"—secured a resounding victory with an unanimous 3-0 judge vote.

Yu’s commanding performance during the competition earned him a coveted spot at the
National Championship, to be held this July at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and
Museum in Simi Valley, California. He has also been awarded an all-expenses paid trip to the National Championship for themselves and a chaperone, as well as the opportunity to compete for a share of $50,000 in scholarship money.

“This debate format offers students the opportunity to develop an alternative competitive style to traditional debate, and pushes them to hone their persuasion skills toward a more real life audience and opponent. It was a very worthwhile experience for my traditional debate students,” said Jackie Trimm, host of the competition.

The Ronald Reagan Debate Series is designed to foster respectful dialogue, critical thinking, and effective communication among high school students. Rosen exemplified these values during the regional competition, skillfully engaging with complex topics and presenting arguments with clarity and poise.

“Jayden’s performance truly embodied the core principles of President Reagan’s legacy—highlighting a commitment to respectful discourse and the promotion of unity through mutual understanding,” remarked Dr. Richard Schroeder, Chief Education Programming Officer. “We are incredibly proud of his achievement in representing California at the National Championship this summer and wish them the very best in their future endeavors.”

The Reagan Foundation congratulates Rosen and all participants for their remarkable efforts.
For more information about the Ronald Reagan Debate Series, including upcoming events and
resources for students, please visit www.reaganfoundation.org/debate.

About the Ronald Reagan Debate Series
The Ronald Reagan Debate Series is an initiative by the Reagan Foundation to inspire the next
generation of leaders to engage in meaningful dialogue and cultivate the skills necessary to solve the challenges of tomorrow. Through its competitions, the program emphasizes the values of respectful discourse, pragmatism, and thoughtful communication embodied by President Reagan.
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About the Reagan Foundation and Institute
The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation and Institute (RRPFI) is the sole nonprofit
organization created by President Reagan charged with advancing his legacy and principles –
individual liberty, economic opportunity, freedom and democracy, peace through strength, and national pride.

A globally recognized nonpartisan organization based in Simi Valley, CA, with a leading policy
institute in Washington, DC, RRPFI delivers impactful public affairs programming, policy
convenings and projects of national and international significance, and distinctive educational
initiatives. In addition, RRPFI sustains the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum, the largest and most visited presidential library, which routinely hosts major special exhibitions.

An hour from Los Angeles International Airport, RRPFI’s Simi Valley campus sits on 400 acres, serves as the final resting place of America’s 40th President and former First Lady Nancy Reagan, displays a chunk of the Berlin Wall, and houses the plane President Reagan flew as Air Force One to 26 countries. Onsite are the Reagan Center for Public Affairs, Presidential Learning Center, Air Force One Pavilion, and the Reagan Leadership Center. More information is available at www.reaganfoundation.org.