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The Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & InstituteThe Ronald Reagan Presidential Foundation & Institute Logo

Ronald Reagan Civil Discourse Project

Ronald Reagan Debate Series

The Ronald Reagan Debate Series challenges high school students grades 9-12 to compete for their share of $50,000 in scholarship awards! Our debate emulates the style of presidential debates of old, emphasizing practical communication skills like civility, personality, humor and story telling.

Get Notified for 2026
2026 RRDS Locations

2026 Debate Competitions

2026 regional competition topic is "RESOLVED: As the United States celebrates its 250th anniversary of self-governance, the Electoral College should be replaced by the popular vote in presidential elections."

REGIONAL COMPETITION DATES & LOCATIONS:

Registration Opens January 30th. If you don't yet have a Tabroom.com account, please see instructions in the resource area on how to setup your account and register.

March 7 | Thousand Oaks, California

March 14 | Kahului, Hawaii

March 21 | Bismarck, North Dakota

March 21 | Richmond, Virginia

March 28 | Dallas, Texas

March 28 | Madison, Wisconsin

April 11 | Redding, California

April 11 | Nashville, Tennessee

April 18 | Salt Lake City, Utah

April 18 | Columbia Falls, Montana

April 25 | Las Vegas, Nevada

May 1-2 | Kansas City, Missouri

May 2 | New York, New York

May 9 | Orange County, CA

May 16 | Anchorage, Alaska

June 5-6 | Online Competition

Dates to be announced:

  • Alabama

  • Georgia

  • Louisiana

Notify Me For Registration Links

RRDS Q&A Sessions

Q&A Sessions

Join us for two interactive Q&A sessions with Debate Program National Finalists. Gain exclusive insights into mastering our unique presidential style of debate, and learn valuable preparation techniques directly from the experts.

Upcoming Q&A Sessions:

This is your chance to ask questions and connect with both the alumni and the Reagan Education Team staff. Don’t miss this opportunity to elevate your debate skills! Recordings will be available here on our website following the Q&A Sessions if you are unable to attend.

Want to start learning now, watch last year's Q&A Session with National Finalists Tyler Ly and Joshua Hansen who answer questions about our debate style. WATCH VIDEO HERE

Training Video

Resources

  • Student Participant Guide

    VIEW GUIDE

    This has all of the information you need to know and be successful at our debate style.

  • Official Judge Handbook

    VIEW HANDBOOK

    This has all of the information you need to know and be a successful judge of our debate style.

  • Video on How To Judge Our Style

    VIMEO | YOUTUBE

    Watch the video on how you will be judged during the rounds.

  • Regional Competition Rules & Eligibility

    VIEW RULES

    Familiarize yourself with the Rules and Eligibility for the Regional Competitions.

  • Competition Expectations

    LINK TO RESOURCE

    Here is a general list of rules and expectations.

  • How to Set Up Your Tabroom Account

    VIEW THE LINK | WATCH THE VIDEO

    This written guide and video recording will help walk you through the steps to setup your Tabroom.com account, which is where you will register for most competitions.

  • Debate Round Structure

    LINK TO STRUCTURE

    Here is the breakdown for each round of debate.

  • Typical Debate Day Schedule

    LINK TO SCHEDULE

    This is typically what the breakdown of the day is if your location is hosting a one day competition.

  • Ballot

    LINK TO BALLOT

    Here is what judges will use to score each round of debate.

  • Score Card

    LINK TO SCORE CARD

    This is the criteria that judges will use to score each round of debate.

  • Role of a Judge

    VIEW ROLE GUIDE

    This is an overview of what a judge does during a round.

  • Moderator Question Guide

    VIEW MODERATOR GUIDE

    This is a guide of starting questions to get judges started for the portion when they ask the students a question.

  • Webinar with Debate Program Alumni

    WATCH VIDEO HERE

    Learn from National Finalists Tyler Ly and Joshua Hansen who answer questions about our debate style.

Questions?

Contact us at education@reaganfoundation.org

Email Us

Past National Championship Rounds

1/122025 National Championship Haiet Asher vs. Jayden Yu

2/122024 National Championship Richie Colosanno vs. Tyler Lee

3/122023 National Championship: Sahil Sood vs. Shrisha Raj

Resolution: “Advances in Generative Artificial Intelligence pose a threat to independent thought.” Sahil sood: $10,000 Scholarship Shrisha Raj: $7,500 Scholarship

4/122022 National Championship Patrick McDonald vs. Alex Lee

Resolution: “The benefits of NATO intervention in Ukraine outweigh the risks.” Patrick McDonald: $10,000 Scholarship Alex Lee: $7,500 Scholarship

5/122021 National championship Laurel Holley vs. Gabriel Frank-McPheter

Resolution: “The principle of “Peace Through Strength” is as valid today as it was during Ronald Reagan’s Presidency." Laurel Holley: $5,000 Scholarship Gabriel Frank-McPheter: $3,500 Scholarship

6/122020 National championship Anwesha Mukherjee vs. Caleb Knox

Resolution: “On balance, the philosophy of police departments must shift to better protect civil rights." Anwesha Mukherjee: $5,000 Scholarship Caleb Knox: $3,500 Scholarship

7/122019 National championship Aron Ravin vs. Ben Lux

Resolution: “On balance, a livable minimum wage mandate would harm small businesses in the United States.” Aron Ravin: $10,000 Scholarship Ben Lux: $7,500 Scholarship

8/122018 National championship John Michael Magloire vs. Michael Gormley

Resolution: “On balance, the freedoms guaranteed to the press benefit American Democracy.” John Michael Magliore: $10,000 Scholarship Michael Gormley: $7,000 Scholarship

9/122017 National championship John Michael Magliore vs. Shriyash Upadhyay

Resolution: “Social media strengthens American democracy.” John Michael Magliore: $10,000 Scholarship Shriyash Upadhyay: $7,000 Scholarship

10/122016 National Championship Katie Kleinle vs. Alex Zhao

Resolution: “The benefits of the two party system outweigh the harms to the American public.” Katie Kleinle: $10,000 Scholarship Alex Zhao: $7,000 Scholarship

11/122015 National Championship Barrett Young vs. Telyse Masaoay

Resolution: “The national interest of the United States demands that defending freedom from threats of tyranny take precedence over the sovereignty of foreign nations.” Barrett Young: $10,000 Scholarship Telyse Masaoay: $7,500 Scholarship

12/122012 National Championship Adam Revello vs. Nancy Fairbank

Resolution: “Introducing a balanced budget amendment to the United States Constitution.” Adam Revello: $10,000 Scholarship Nancy Fairbank: $7,000 Scholarship

Testimonials

“This series was one of the most incredible experiences that I am so glad to have participated in. Everyone, including the staff, competitors, judges, and guests were all wonderfully kind and supportive. I really do feel like I became part of the Reagan Family. Thank you so much for this amazing opportunity. The Reagan Great Communicator Debates demonstrates what I believe debate is truly about: communication, education, and growth.”