News Summary
The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida are hosting contests for students during Black History Month, encouraging creativity through art and essays. Students can win cash prizes, scholarships, and recognition for their contributions that honor African-American history in the state. These contests emphasize the importance of creativity and education in celebrating Black history while offering exciting opportunities and rewards for young Floridians.
Florida Sparks Creativity with Cash Prizes and Scholarships for Students during Black History Month
The beautiful Sunshine State is buzzing with excitement this February, as the Florida Department of Education, along with Volunteer Florida, is rolling out exciting contests for students in celebration of Black History Month. This year, the theme is all about “Honoring African-American Contributions to Florida’s Success,” so get those creative juices flowing!
Art Contest for Young Creators
Little artists in grades K-3 are invited to showcase their artistic talents in a fabulous art contest. The only requirement? Original, two-dimensional artwork that captures the spirit of African-American contributions in Florida. Four lucky winners will be chosen, each snagging a $100 gift card to stock up on school supplies and, get this, a year-long pass to Florida State Parks! Can you imagine spending the weekends exploring the natural beauty of the Sunshine State?
Essay Contest for Older Students
Students from grades 4-12 are also in for a treat with the essay contest! This contest gives a chance to dive deeper into the remarkable stories of African-American Floridians who played critical roles in the state’s success. Participants must be residents of Florida and currently enrolled in any school within the state, be it public, charter, private, home, or virtual. A valid Social Security Number is a must as well.
Remember, each student can submit only one essay in English, and it shouldn’t be over 500 words. Looking for inspiration? Think of giant figures like Dr. Mary McLeod Bethune, the legendary Ray Charles, or the trailblazing Rep. Kiyan Michael. There is certainly no shortage of incredible stories to tell!
Six essay winners will have the honor of being recognized: two from elementary school (grades four and five), two from middle school (grades six to eight), and two from high school (grades nine to twelve). Each of these winners will be looking at a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a cool $100 gift card for school supplies. Who wouldn’t want that?
Recognizing Educators
In addition to recognizing student talent, the contests also offer a wonderful opportunity to appreciate inspiring educators through the “Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.” Students, parents, teachers, or even principals can nominate outstanding educators. The few selected will receive $2,500 each from Volunteer Florida to continue their fantastic work.
Don’t Miss the Submission Deadline!
For all students and teachers looking to get involved, make sure to send in those contest forms and nomination forms by mail or online no later than 5 p.m. (ET) on Monday, February 3. Want to know where to send those submissions? Here you go:
Volunteer Florida Black History Month Committee 1545 Raymond Diehl Rd., Suite 250 Tallahassee, FL 32308
So whether you’re setting up a canvas for the art contest or penning an inspiring essay, Florida’s Black History Month contests are a fantastic way to channel creativity while honoring the impactful stories of African Americans in the state. To find out more about the contests and how to submit your entries, be sure to visit www.floridablackhistory.com.
Let’s make this year’s Black History Month unforgettable with creativity, recognition, and a celebration of the rich history of African-American contributions to Florida!
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Dog Et Al Finds New Home in Tallahassee
Slut Boys Unveil First Vinyl Release in Tallahassee
Tallahassee Celebrates Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Weekend
Blackstone Acquires Stake in Citrin Cooperman Advisors
Tallahassee Archives Embrace Digital Transformation
South Florida Records Largest Commercial Real Estate Sale
Miami Emerges as a Leading Tech Hub in Florida
FAMU Honors John Due Jr. for 90th Birthday Celebration
Florida Schools Struggle with Teaching African American History
New Leadership Takes Charge in Leon County Schools
Additional Resources
- ECB Publishing
- Wikipedia: Black History Month
- Visit Orlando
- Google Search: Black history month Florida
- WOKV News
- Google Scholar: Black history education Florida
- Click Orlando
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Black History
- AP News
- Google News: Black history month events Florida
Author: STAFF HERE TALLAHASSEE WRITER
TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER The TALLAHASSEE STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERETallahassee.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Tallahassee, Leon County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Springtime Tallahassee, Tallahassee Jazz & Blues Festival, and LeMoyne Chain of Parks Art Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Tallahassee Chamber of Commerce and United Way of the Big Bend, plus leading businesses in education, healthcare, and insurance that power the local economy such as Florida State University, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, and Capital Health Plan. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREJacksonville.com, HEREOrlando.com, HEREStPetersburg.com, and HERETampa.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Florida's dynamic landscape.
