Nassau County students have until Monday, Sept. 21, to enter Florida's Hispanic Heritage Month Art and Essay Contests, which carry college scholarships and gift cards as prizes.

The Nassau County School District announced on X on Tuesday, Sept. 15, the first day of Hispanic Heritage Month, that students can participate in the statewide competitions. The contests are sponsored by the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida.

Theme Celebrates Florida's Hispanic Heritage

This year's theme is "Celebrating Florida's Hispanic Heritage." All Florida public, charter, private, virtual and homeschool students are eligible.

Art, Essay Contests Open by Grade

The art contest is open to students in grades K-3. Four statewide winners will each receive a $200 school supplies gift card.

The essay contest covers three grade bands: grades 4-5, grades 6-8 and grades 9-12. Two winners per grade band, six total, will each receive a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship from the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $200 gift card for school supplies.

A separate Excellence in Education Award allows students, parents, teachers and principals to nominate a full-time Florida educator. Four selected educators will each receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.

How to Submit Entries by Deadline

All entries must arrive by 5 p.m. EDT on Monday, Sept. 21.

Art contest entries must be mailed to Volunteer Florida, Hispanic Heritage Month Committee, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, FL 32308. Emailed, scanned or faxed entries will not be accepted. Contestants are responsible for shipping costs.

Essay contest entries may be mailed to the same address or submitted online at floridahispanicheritage.com. Online submissions receive email confirmation.

Local Schools, Homeschoolers Both Eligible

Because the contests are open to all Florida students, Amelia Island families at Fernandina Beach High School, Fernandina Beach Middle School, Emma Love Hardee Elementary, Southside Elementary and St. Michael Academy are eligible, along with homeschool students.

Families with questions can contact Volunteer Florida at 850-414-7400. Full guidelines and submission forms are available at floridahispanicheritage.com.