Tallahassee, Fla., August 20, 2024 – The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida are inviting students to participate in the Hispanic Heritage Month student art and essay contests with the theme “Honoring Hispanic Contributions to Florida’s Success.” Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15.
“Florida’s Hispanic Heritage Month contests provide students with the opportunity to learn about the many Hispanic Floridians who contributed to our state’s success,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “The influence of Hispanic culture is evident throughout Florida and I look forward to seeing the inspiration students gain from the many excellent examples of Hispanic achievement in our state.”
“I am honored to recognize the profound impact Hispanic cultures have on the fabric of our nation," said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “As a proud Cuban-American, Hispanic Heritage Month is an opportunity to both celebrate and educate future generations about the importance of community serving others.”
All Florida students are invited to participate in academic and creative contests based on this year's theme. 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 for the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award.
The Student Art Contest is open to all Kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year's theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, each receiving a $100 gift card for school supplies and a one-year pass to Florida State Parks.
The Student 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 two-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies.
Contestants must be Florida residents attending school in grades 4-12 (including public, charter, private, home or virtual) and able to provide a Social Security Number. Each student may enter only one essay written in English, no longer than 500 words.
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators at elementary, middle or high schools in Florida. Four winners will be selected based on nominations submitted by principals, teachers, parents/guardians or students. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed or submitted online at www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com by 5 p.m. (ET) on Friday, September 13, 2024.
For more information about the contests please visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.
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