TALLAHASSEE – Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott today invited students in kindergarten through 12th grades to participate in the Hispanic Heritage Month art and essay contests. They also invited students, parents, teachers and principals to nominate full-time Hispanic educators in elementary, middle or high schools for the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award.
The student contests focus on the theme “Celebrating Hispanic Leaders in Business – Past, Present and Future,” and Information about the contests and Florida’s Hispanic heritage is available on Florida’s Hispanic Heritage Month website, www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com
About the Student Contests
Essay Contest for Grades 4 - 12 – The Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest is open to all Florida students in grades 4 through 12. Three winners will be selected: one elementary student (grades 4-5), one middle-school student (grades 6-8), and one high school student (grades 9-12). Winners will receive a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Please visit http://www.floridahispanicheritage.com/ to download complete guidelines and entry forms.
About the Excellence in Education Award
Governor Scott’s annual Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all Hispanic, full time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary teacher (grades K-5), one middle school teacher (grades 6-8), and one high school teacher (grades 9-12). Winners will receive a check for $1,500. Forms can be found at www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com
Contest Entries and Nominations
Student contest entries and educator nomination forms must be mailed to:
Florida’s Foundation
Attention: Hispanic Heritage Month
820 East Park Avenue, E-100
Tallahassee, Florida 32301
All entries must be postmarked by 5:00 p.m. EDT, September 23, 2011.
About Hispanic Heritage Month
Several Latin American countries celebrate the anniversaries of independence during Hispanic Heritage Month. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua celebrate independence on September 15. Mexico achieved independence on September 16, and Chile, on September 18. Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since 1974 when President Gerald Ford issued a Presidential Proclamation extending Hispanic Heritage Week into a month-long celebration, from September 15 through October 15.
For additional information about Hispanic Heritage, contests and other related events, please visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com