Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott Invite K-12 Students to Participate in 2016 Black History Month Contests
January 7, 2016
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Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott Invite K-12 Students to Participate in 2016 Black History Month Contests
Tallahassee, Fla. – Today, Governor Rick Scott and First Lady Ann Scott announced the 2016 Black History Month contests for Florida students and teachers. Art and essay contests are open to students in Kindergarten to 12th grade based on this year’s theme, “Honoring African American Heroes.” Students, parents, teachers, and principals are also invited to nominate full-time, African-American educators in elementary, middle and high schools for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.
Governor Scott said, “American history is full of African American heroes, veterans, military members, law enforcement officers and first responders who have risked their lives to protect Floridians and free people all over the world. Ann and I join Florida families in celebrating Black History Month in February and encourage students to participate in this year’s art and essay contests honoring the heroism and bravery of African Americans in Florida.”
First Lady Ann Scott said, “The Black History Month art and essay contests are two of my favorite activities of the year. I am so impressed with students’ enthusiasm at the schools I visit and I encourage all of our state’s students and educators to embrace this opportunity to celebrate the impact African Americans have made in our state. I am also honored to feature the artwork of Arthur Dillard and his profound influence on local artistic culture.”
This year’s Black History Month featured artist is Arthur Dillard. Arthur’s artwork can be found throughout the United States, and was even displayed at the 50th anniversary of the Brown vs Board of Education Decision in Washington, D.C. He is a self-taught artist who earned a Bachelor’s Degree from Florida A&M University and currently has a studio in Bradenton.
About the Student Contests
Art Contest for Grades K-3 – The Black History Month art contest is open to all Florida students in grades K-3, and two winners will be selected.
Essay Contest for Grades 4-12 – The Black History 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 Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
About the Excellence in Education Award
Governor Scott’s annual Black History Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all African-American, full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary (grades K-5) teacher, one middle school (grades 6-8) teacher and one high school (grades 9-12) teacher.
All entry forms and guidelines for the contests can be found at www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.
Contest Entries and Nominations
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to:
Volunteer Florida
Attention: Black History Month Committee
3800 Esplanade Way
Suite 180
Tallahassee, FL 32311
All entries must be mailed to Volunteer Florida and received by January 25, 2016.
For additional information about Florida’s Black History, contests and other related events, please visit www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.
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