Florida Black History Month 2013 Diversity in the United States Governor Rick Scotts Black History Month

Essay Contest Official Rules and Guidelines Grades 4-5, 6-8, 9-12
Governor Rick Scotts Black History Month Essay Contest is open to all 4th through 12th grade students in the state of Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary (4-5) student, one middle (6-8) student, and one high school (9-12) student. Winners will be notified by February 14, 2013. Entries must be sent/mailed to: Floridas Foundation, Black History Month Committee, 111 North Gadsden Street, Suite 100, Tallahassee, Florida 32301. No faxed or emailed entries will be accepted. All entries must be received by the Foundation no later than 5:00 p.m. EST, February 6, 2013. All essays should address the following topic: Look at diversity in the United States; reflect on what you have learned in your life experience. Explain if you think diversity benefits society. Things to consider in writing your essay: 1. What about diversity in the United States has helped you better understand or relate to others in ways that you may not have in the past? 2. Have you learned something new about your own racial, ethnic or cultural history? 3. What challenges does the United States face due to the diversity of its people? 4. What are the benefits of such a diverse society? 5. How can we foster a climate of acceptance and cultural pluralism in the United States? 6. How might individuals and the United States work together to reduce prejudice and increase appreciation for diversity? 7. How might you change your own behaviors to be more inclusive and pluralistic? EACH ESSAY ENTRY MUST ALSO INCLUDE: 1. A letter of recommendation from an educator (teacher/principal/coach) or professional (employer/community organizer) describing why the student is worthy to receive a scholarship and how he/she stands out from his/her peers. 2. A 200-250 word personal essay of why the student believes they are deserving of the scholarship and what their plans are for the future. Examples: An obstacle they overcame or personal experience or situation that reflects what receiving the scholarship would mean to them.

For more information, visit www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.

3. A brief, one to two sentence response conveying what the student has done recently, over the last six months, to give back to their community. Each student may enter only one essay. Students may win the essay contest one time only and will be deemed ineligible to win a second Florida Prepaid College scholarship. A completed entry/parental waiver form must accompany each essay. The entry form/parental waiver can be obtained on the Governors Black History Month web site at www.floridablackhistory.com under the Student Contests tab.

Essays submitted must include contestants name, home address, telephone number, school the student attends, grade level, title of the essay, and a word count. Essays must be no longer than 500 words in length, and should be typed.
Winners will receive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Stanley G. Tate Florida Prepaid College Foundation. http://www.myfloridaprepaid.com/foundation Winners will be awarded their scholarships at the Governors Black History Month celebration to be held in Tallahassee in February, 2013. Reasonable travel and lodging expenses will be paid for the winners and two immediate family members. Winners must be Florida residents and be able to provide a Social Security number.

Contact Floridas Foundation at (850) 410-0696 for any further questions.

For more information, visit www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.

Florida Black History Month 2013 Diversity in the United States Governor Rick Scotts Black History Month Essay Entry Parental/Legal Guardian Waiver Form

Student Name: Grade Level: Essay Title: Word Count: Name of School: Home Mailing Address:

Home Telephone Number: E-mail Address:

Release Statement: As parent or guardian, I acknowledge that my child has written the attached essay. Should he or she win the essay contest, I agree to allow the essay to be distributed publicly. I also understand that if it is discovered my child plagiarized or that the thoughts expressed are not his or her own, the essay will be subject to disqualification. Signature, parent/guardian name, and contact phone number:

__________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Signature

__________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Name (Print)

__________________________________________ Parent/Guardian Telephone Number

For more information, visit www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.