Black History Month art, essay contest opens for Florida students

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida has launched an academic and creative contest for elementary, middle and high school students.

>>> STREAM CHANNEL 9 EYEWITNESS NEWS LIVE <<<

Last week, Gov. Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis announced the 2023 Black History Month Art and Essay Contest.

Black History Month is celebrated every year in February.

This year’s theme is “Celebrating the Achievements of African American Floridians.”

Read: Report shows challenges to mental health training in Brevard Public Schools

Art Contest

The art contest is open to all kindergarten through third-grade students. Each student will submit original 2-D artwork based on the theme. The committee will choose four winners and each winner will receive a $100 art supplies gift card and a 1-year pass to Florida state parks.

Read: What we know about AP African American Studies, and why Florida doesn’t want it

Essay Contest

The essay contest, which is open to all fourth through twelfth-grade students, will have a total of 10 winners, with the following categories:

• Two elementary school students, grades 4 through 5
• Two middle school students, grades 6 through 8
• Two high school students, grades 9 through 12

Students need to write a maximum 500-word essay based on the theme of an African American Floridian who had a notable effect on the community.

Each winner will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies.

Read: New state rules on education pose concerns for Orange County Public Schools

Excellence in Education Award

Students, parents, teachers, and principals can nominate full-time educators of all grades for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.

Award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.

The art and essay scholarship contests will run through Feb. 7. For more information about how to submit entries and nomination forms, click here.

Watch this video below:

Central Florida Spotlight: Black History Month (WFTV)

Click here to download the free WFTV news and weather apps, click here to download the WFTV Now app for your smart TV and click here to stream Channel 9 Eyewitness News live.

©2022 Cox Media Group