Return to September 2006 Newsletter Home

The following is a press release,  essay contest instructions and related information for:

Hispanic Heritage Month

In the month of September until October, we celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month.  During this month there are a wide variety of activities at the state and local levels.   However, we would like to share the press release announcing the Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest for students in elementary, middle school and high school students in Florida to educators across the state.  

GOVERNOR BUSH AND FIRST LADY BUSH INVITE FLORIDA STUDENTS TO PARTICIPATE IN FOURTH ANNUAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH ESSAY CONTEST

~ Winning students receive full tuition scholarships ~

TALLAHASSEE– Governor Jeb Bush and First Lady Columba Bush today invited Florida students in kindergarten through twelfth grades to participate in the fourth annual Florida Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest. The essay contest is the first in a month-long schedule of events planned to commemorate Florida’s Hispanic heritage. The theme of the essay contest is, “Why is learning about Florida’s Diverse Hispanic Heritage and Culture Important?”

“Columba and I are proud of the Spanish and Latin-American influences that contribute to Florida’s rich culture and history and play a dynamic role in shaping our history and future,” said Governor Bush.  “Hispanic Heritage month gives us the opportunity to educate Florida's students on the tremendous contributions Hispanic individuals make to our state.”

Governor Bush is asking students to pay special tribute to the Florida’s diverse Hispanic population and their contributions to the state’s culture, economy and education. The theme for Florida’s 2006 Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration is “La Florida: Honoring Our State’s Spanish and Latin American Influences.”

The contest is open to all Florida students in kindergarten through twelfth grades. A panel of educators and community and business leaders from around the state will serve as judges and select the winning essays. One winner will be selected from each of the three grade-level categories, elementary (grades K-5), middle (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). Winners will receive a full four-year tuition scholarship to a Florida college or university of their choice, provided by lead essay contest partner, the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

“For the fourth consecutive year, the Florida Prepaid College Foundation joins Governor Bush and our fellow Floridians in celebrating Hispanic Heritage Month,” said Ted Hoepner, Chairman of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.  “We are pleased to present a 4-year university tuition and local fee scholarship to the students selected as winners of this year’s essay contest.  With these scholarships, we open the doors to a higher education and a better tomorrow.”

(more)

GOVERNOR BUSH AND FIRST LADY BUSH LAUNCH FOURTH ANNUAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH ESSAY CONTEST-Page Two

The essay guidelines are:

§   Entries must be e-mailed to essay@myflorida.com or mailed to the Executive Office of the Governor, Attention: Hispanic Heritage Month Essay Contest, 400 S. Monroe Street, Suite PL02, Tallahassee, Florida 32399.

§   Entries must be received no later than 5:00 p.m. (EST), September 16, 2006.

§   Each student may enter only one essay, at 500 or less words or less.

§   Essays submitted must include the student's name, home address, telephone number, school the student attends, grade level and essay title.

§   Essay must be accompanied by a parental consent form.

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated nationwide and begins on September 15, the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico achieved independence on September 16 and Chile on September 18. Hispanic Heritage Month has been celebrated in the United States since 1974, when President Gerald Ford issued a Presidential Proclamation extending Hispanic Heritage Week into a month-long celebration.

“The Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus is proud to~once again~serve as a partner for this year's Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest.  Through this contest we can continue to educate Florida’s children about the history and contributions of all the nationalities represented across this great state,” said Chairman of the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus Representative Juan~Zapata.  “As we prepare to celebrate the diversity of our state's Hispanic culture, it is my hope that this essay contest will encourage our youngest citizens to seek a greater knowledge of the  many contributions Hispanic Americans have made in shaping our state's and nation's history.~”~~

Partners of this year's Hispanic Heritage Month essay contest include the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and the Florida Hispanic Legislative Caucus.  Those interested in participating in the essay contest or obtaining more information on additional Hispanic Heritage Month events should visit www.floridahispanicheritage.com   or contact Nadia Hagberg in the Governor’s office at (850) 488-5000 for more information.