Florida Students Invited to Participate in 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month Contests
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., September 5, 2025 – Today, the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida encourage students to participate in the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month student art and essay contests with the theme, “Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heritage.” Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15 each year.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate Spain’s influence on Florida’s rich heritage,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “I hope every student takes this opportunity to learn about the ways Florida has benefitted from this influence.”
“I am proud to honor the contributions and influence Hispanic cultures have on Florida," said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “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.”
About the Student Art Contest
The Hispanic Heritage Month art contest is open to all Kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year's theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 gift card for school supplies and a 1-year pass to Florida State Parks.
About the Student Essay Contest
The Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest is open to all students attending any Florida school in grades 4-12. 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.
Contestants must be Florida residents, attend school in Florida in grades 4-12 (including public, charter, private, home or virtual) and able to provide a Social Security Number. Each student may enter only one essay, written in English, no longer than 500 words.
There are many examples throughout our state’s history of Hispanic Heritage. Using your own words, write about a Hispanic Floridian who has had an impactful effect whose story should be shared. The subject of the essay should be a Floridian.
Some examples are:
• 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
About the Excellence in Education Award
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Four winners will be selected, and nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.
Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted 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 more information about the contests, please visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.
TALLAHASSEE, Fla., September 5, 2025 – Today, the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida encourage students to participate in the 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month student art and essay contests with the theme, “Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heritage.” Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15 each year.
“Hispanic Heritage Month is a time to celebrate Spain’s influence on Florida’s rich heritage,” said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoutsas. “I hope every student takes this opportunity to learn about the ways Florida has benefitted from this influence.”
“I am proud to honor the contributions and influence Hispanic cultures have on Florida," said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “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.”
About the Student Art Contest
The Hispanic Heritage Month art contest is open to all Kindergarten through third-grade students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year's theme. Four statewide winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a $100 gift card for school supplies and a 1-year pass to Florida State Parks.
About the Student Essay Contest
The Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest is open to all students attending any Florida school in grades 4-12. 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.
Contestants must be Florida residents, attend school in Florida in grades 4-12 (including public, charter, private, home or virtual) and able to provide a Social Security Number. Each student may enter only one essay, written in English, no longer than 500 words.
There are many examples throughout our state’s history of Hispanic Heritage. Using your own words, write about a Hispanic Floridian who has had an impactful effect whose story should be shared. The subject of the essay should be a Floridian.
Some examples are:
• 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
About the Excellence in Education Award
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, middle or high school in Florida. Four winners will be selected, and nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.
Contest Entries and Nominating Forms and Guidelines
Student contest forms and educator nomination forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted 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 more information about the contests, please visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.
Thank you so much for your support of the Zen Den!
It was great seeing all of our Gator Families in The Swamp for Open House and Club Night! Thank you for your support!
Shirley, we got this! Our teachers enjoyed a tasty treat while learning about testing procedures so that we are ready for PM1. Thank you, Ms. Messer for putting this together!
Please make note of testing dates in The Swamp.
Students with text in their hands in Social Studies class, supporting the common goal of using CLOSE reading strategies across the curriculum. Nice job!
📣 Gray Middle Families!
Join us this Thursday, September 4th for Open House & Clubs Night
🕠 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Follow your student’s schedule to meet their teachers and learn what’s happening in each class.
🕖 6:35 – 7:00 PM
Head to the cafeteria for Clubs Night — discover the many ways students can get involved this year!
✅ Don’t miss this chance to connect with teachers and explore what makes Gray Middle great!
Join us this Thursday, September 4th for Open House & Clubs Night
🕠 5:30 – 6:30 PM
Follow your student’s schedule to meet their teachers and learn what’s happening in each class.
🕖 6:35 – 7:00 PM
Head to the cafeteria for Clubs Night — discover the many ways students can get involved this year!
✅ Don’t miss this chance to connect with teachers and explore what makes Gray Middle great!
Thank you for your support of PBIS!
THANK YOU!
Did you know…Just two years ago, we welcomed our very first Cambridge 6th graders, and they stand as confident 8th graders leading the way! Their journey shows how challenging academics, global perspectives, and a love of learning opens doors to an exciting future - and we can’t wait to see all they will accomplish this year and beyond as they move toward an AICE diploma and full Bright Future scholarships!
All Lake County public schools will be closed on Monday, September 1, in observance of Labor Day. We honor the hard work, dedication, and contributions of the American workforce that help build strong communities and a bright future for our students. Enjoy a safe and restful holiday!
Our Gators are hard at work during Gator Aid. Today we had students working on a hands on activity involving ratios. Way to go Gators!
Student Spotlight -
Exciting news! Luke Bollinger is a finalist for the National FFA Agriscience Fair! He competed at the state level in June and took 1st place in the Power, Structural & Technical Systems category with his innovative petal-powered generator that produces electricity without fossil fuels. Luke's National interview is on September 22nd, and he will proudly represent Gray Middle FFA on the National FFA Stage in Indianapolis, Indiana, on October 31st. Congratulations! Go Gators! 🐊
Please consider helping our staff by contributing to our Zen Den :) Thank you!
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Cecil E. Gray Middle School Open House & Clubs Night
We invite all parents and guardians to join us on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5:30–7:00 PM!
What to Expect:
* Meet your child’s teachers and learn about each class.
* We’ll run a bell schedule by period, starting promptly at 5:30 PM – so please plan to arrive on time.
From 6:30–7:00 PM, explore our Clubs Showcase in the cafeteria to see all the exciting opportunities available for students this year!
This is a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, and be part of your student’s journey at Gray. We can’t wait to see you there!
We invite all parents and guardians to join us on Thursday, September 4, 2025, from 5:30–7:00 PM!
What to Expect:
* Meet your child’s teachers and learn about each class.
* We’ll run a bell schedule by period, starting promptly at 5:30 PM – so please plan to arrive on time.
From 6:30–7:00 PM, explore our Clubs Showcase in the cafeteria to see all the exciting opportunities available for students this year!
This is a great opportunity to connect, ask questions, and be part of your student’s journey at Gray. We can’t wait to see you there!
This is a great opportunity for Youth Leaders.
Fall Picture Day is scheduled for Thursday, August 28th. Forms were sent home Friday. Please keep in mind that your student needs to remain in dress code for Picture Day. We are looking forward to seeing everyone's smile :)
Our Gators are earning Gator Bucks for their positive behavior in class. We had long lines of students this morning ready to redeem their bucks. Keep it up! 🐊
Next Rep, Best Rep - Hard Work Pays Off!
Our Gators are earning Gator Bucks for their positive behavior in class. We had long lines of students this morning ready to redeem their bucks. Keep it up! 🐊
Next Rep, Best Rep - Hard Work Pays Off!
Next Rep, Best Rep - Hard Work Pays Off!
