Writing Contest
In celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month, we encourage our students to participate in Florida’s art and essay contests based on this year’s theme: “Honoring Hispanic Contributions to Florida’s Success.” Students in grades K-3 are invited to participate in an art contest, while students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers, and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award.
About the Student Essay Contest
The Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest is open to all students attending any Florida school in grades 4-12. Six winners will be selected: two elementary school students (grades 4-5), two middle school students (grades 6-8), and two high school students (grades 9-12). Each winner will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation AND a $100 gift card for school supplies!!
Prompt: There are many examples throughout our state’s history of Hispanic Americans and their contributions to Florida’s success. Using your own words, write about a Hispanic-American who has had an impactful effect whose story should be shared. The subject of the essay should be a Floridian.
Some examples are:
Lieutenant Governor Jeanette Nuñez, Florida’s First Hispanic Female Lt. Governor
Manny Diaz, Jr., Commissioner of Education
Juan Ponce De Leon, first Spanish explorer to reach Florida
Madeline Pumariega, first female President of Miami Dade College
Alex Rizo, Florida State Representative
Esteban Bovo Jr., Mayor of Hialeah
About the Excellence in Education Award
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle, or high school in Florida. Four winners will be selected, and nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian, or student. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.
Volunteer Florida
Hispanic Heritage Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32308