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.
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 be able to provide a Social Security Number. Each student may enter only one essay, written in English, no longer than 500 words.
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.