September 5, 2025
FDOE Press Office
850-245-0413
Florida Launches 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Competitions for Students
Tallahassee, Fla., September 5, 2025 – The Florida Department of Education, in collaboration with Volunteer Florida, is inviting students to engage in this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month art and essay contests. The theme, “Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heritage,” aligns with Hispanic Heritage Month, which takes place nationally from September 15 to October 15.
According to Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas, “Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate Spain’s influence on Florida’s rich heritage. I hope every student takes this opportunity to learn about the ways Florida has benefitted from this influence.”
Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo expressed pride in recognizing the impact of Hispanic cultures in Florida, stating, “As a Cuban-American, Hispanic Heritage Month is a way to not only celebrate but to educate our future generations on the value of community and serving others.”
Details of the Student Art Contest
Open to students from Kindergarten through third grade across Florida, this contest invites original, two-dimensional art submissions reflecting the annual theme. Winners—four in total—will each receive a $100 gift card for school supplies and an annual pass to Florida State Parks.
Information on the Student Essay Contest
Students in grades 4-12 from any Florida school can participate in the essay contest. Two winners will be selected from each school level: elementary (grades 4-5), middle (grades 6-8), and high school (grades 9-12). Winners will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship, courtesy of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, as well as a $100 gift card for school supplies.
Eligible participants must be Florida residents attending a school in the state and able to provide a Social Security Number. Each student may submit only one essay, written in English, with a maximum length of 500 words.
Essays should focus on a Hispanic Floridian who has made significant contributions, with examples including figures like:
- Juan Ponce De Leon, first European to reach Florida
- Anastasios Kamoutsas, Florida Commissioner of Education
- Jeanette Nuñez, President of Florida International University
- Madeline Pumariega, first female President of Miami Dade College
- Alex Rizo, Florida State Representative
- Esteban Bovo Jr., Mayor of Hialeah
The Excellence in Education Award
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis are hosting the Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest, open to all full-time educators in Florida’s elementary, middle, or high schools. Four winners will be chosen and will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida. Nominations can be made by principals, teachers, parents/guardians, or students.
Submission Guidelines and Deadlines
Entries for the student contests and educator nominations must be submitted to Volunteer Florida by mail or online at www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.
Volunteer Florida
Hispanic Heritage Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
All entries must be received by 5 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
For full contest details, visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.
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