Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest

Governor Jeb Bush and First Lady Columba Bush invite 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?"

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.

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.

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.