To honor the 250th anniversary of our nation's founding, the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida invite all Florida students in grades K-12 to participate in the America250FL art and essay contests. The contests provide an opportunity for students to pause and reflect on our nation's past and honor Florida's contributions to America. Students should submit an original artwork or essay with the theme, "Celebrating Florida's Contributions to America" by Monday, March 16.
About the Art Contest
The America250FL art contest is open to all kindergarten through Grade 5 students in Florida. Each student should submit an original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year's theme. Six winners will be selected, and each winner will receive a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
About the Student Essay Contest
The America250FL essay contest is open to all students in grades 6-12. Eight winners will be selected: three middle school students (grades 6-8) with each winner receiving a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and five high school students (grades 9-12) with each winner receiving a 4-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
Art and essay contestants must be Florida residents and be able to provide a Social Security number. Each student may enter only one submission.
Student contest forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida, America 250FL Committee, 1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee FL 32308, or submitted online at America250FloridaContest.com.
All entries must be received by 5 p.m. E.T. on Monday, March 16, 2026
For more information, visit America250FloridaContest.com .