Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Black History Month Essay Contest is open to all fourth through twelfth-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. 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.

In the contest, students are encouraged to write about an African American who has had an impactful and inspiring effect on their community whose story should be shared. The subject of the essay should be a Floridian. 

--floridablackhistory.com

Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at floridablackhistory.com. All entries must be received by 5 p.m. (ET) on Tuesday, February 7, 2023.