Pete Mandacina Advances to the National Championship After Winning the Missouri Regional Competition of the Ronald Reagan Debate Series

Pete Mandacina Advances to the National Championship After Winning the Missouri Regional Competition of the Ronald Reagan Debate Series  

(Simi Valley, CA)  The Reagan Foundation proudly announces Pete Mandacina, a senior at Rockhurst High School, as the winner of the Missouri Regional Competition of the Ronald Reagan Debate Series which was hosted on Friday, May 2 at Rockhurst High School and Saturday, May 3 at the Harry S. Truman Library and Museum. 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.

Mandacina’s 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 himself and a chaperone, as well as the opportunity to compete for a share of $50,000 in scholarship money.

"My experience in the Ronald Reagan Debates has been tremendous,” remarked Mandacina. “I competed in the Ronald Reagan Debate because I like the personable nature of the debate. It’s not technical, it doesn’t force us to go out of our comfort zone into super specifics but allows us to be communicators. I think that is important."

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

Dr. Richard Schroeder, Chief Education Programming Officer, stated, “Pete’s remarkable performance exemplifies the core principles championed by President Reagan, emphasizing the importance of respectful dialogue and the promotion of unity through mutual understanding. We are honored to have him represent the state of Missouri at the National Championship once more this summer and extend our best wishes for his continued success.”

The Reagan Foundation congratulates Mandacina 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.