Rick Patrick
ECB Publishing, Inc.
The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida are encouraging students to participate in contests during February, which is recognized in the United States as Black History Month. The contests are using the theme, “Honoring African-American Contributions to Florida’s Success.”
For students in grades K-3, an art contest is being held. Students will submit “original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s theme.” A total of four winners from across the state will be selected and each winner will receive a $100 gift card to be used for school supplies and a one-year pass to Florida State Parks.
Students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in the essay contest. Contestants must be Florida residents, attend school in Florida (including public, charter, private, home or virtual) and must be able to provide a Social Security Number. Each student may enter only one essay, written in English and no longer than 500 words. Students are asked to write about an African-American Floridian who has made an impact and contributed to Florida’s success. Some examples could be Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, Ray Charles or Rep. Kiyan Michael. There will be six essay winners selected: two elementary school students (grades four and five), two middle school students (grades six and eight) and two high school students (grades nine through 12). Each winner will receive a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card that can be used for school supplies.
In addition, students, parents, teachers and principals are encouraged to nominate full-time educators of any grade for the “Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.” Four winners will be selected for this award, and nominations may be submitted by a school principal, fellow teacher, parent/guardian or student. Winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.
Student contest forms and teacher nomination forms must be mailed to the following address:
Volunteer Florida
Black History Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Rd., Suite 250
Tallahassee, Fla. 32308
Forms may also be submitted online at www.floridablackhistory.com. All entries must be received no later than 5 p.m. (ET) on Monday, Feb. 3. For more information about the contests, please visit www.floridablackhistory.com.