Hispanic Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in the United States from September 15 to October 15 each year. Each year, the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida invite students to participate in the Hispanic Heritage Month student art and essay contests. The 2025 theme is Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heritage.
About the Student Art Contest
The Hispanic Heritage Month art contest is open to all Florida K – 3rd-grade students. Each participating student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year's theme – Celebrating Florida’s Hispanic Heritage. Four statewide winners will be selected. 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. The essay should be about a Hispanic Floridian who has had a significant impact on our state. The essay must be in English and no longer than 500 words. One essay per student. Visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com for more information about the essay topic.
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 and a $100 gift card for school supplies.
The Excellence in Education Award Is Open to All Full-time K-12 Educators
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in Florida elementary, middle, or high schools. Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian, or student. Four winners will be selected. Excellence in Education award winners will receive $2,500 from Volunteer Florida.
For more information about the contests and submission of contest entries,
please visit www.FloridaHispanicHeritage.com.
All entries must be received by 5 p.m. (ET) on Wednesday, September 24, 2025.
