2024 Native American Heritage Month Contest Winners
We thank everyone who participated in the 2024 Native American Heritage Month Art, Essay, and Educator Contests. Each submission showcased the incredible talent and rich cultural perspectives from across our state, making this year’s contests a tremendous success.
Student Art Contest
Students in kindergarten through third grade were invited to submit original artworks for the contest. Four art contest winners were chosen, and each received a $100 gift card for school supplies and a one-year pass to Florida state parks. The winners of the student art contest are:
- Stanley Cypress, Ahfachkee School, Hendry County
Stanley, a first-grade student, created artwork reflecting the theme, “Honoring Native American Contributions to Florida’s Success.” - Kloey Key, Shadowlawn Elementary, Clay County
Kloey, a third-grade student, contributed artwork inspired by the theme, “Honoring Native American Contributions to Florida’s Success.” - Ziana Osceola, Ahfachkee School, Hendry County
Ziana, a second-grade student, designed a piece illustrating the theme, “Honoring Native American Contributions to Florida’s Success.” - Jayley Perez, Ahfachkee School, Hendry County
Jayley, a kindergarten student, showcased artwork celebrating the theme, “Honoring Native American Contributions to Florida’s Success.”
Student Essay Contest
Students in fourth through twelfth grade were invited to submit essays based on this year’s theme. Six winners were selected including two elementary students (grades 4–5), two middle school students (grades 6–8) and two high school students (grades 9–12). Winners received a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and a $100 gift card for school supplies. The winners of the student essay contest are:
- Lorelai Abrantes, Grade 6, Celebration K-8 School, Osceola County
- Serenity Bishop, Grade 5, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, Glades County
- Cypress Cohen, Grade 11, Babcock High School, Charlotte County
- Alyssa Daan, Grade 12, Forest Hill Community High School, Palm Beach County
- Bryant Hunsinger, Grade 5, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, Glades County
- Marlee Swift, Grade 8, Palm Beach Maritime Academy Secondary, Palm Beach County
Excellence in Education Award
The four Excellence in Education Award Contest winners were selected from nominations sent in by principals, teachers, parents or guardians, and students. Excellence in Education Award winners received a $2,500 monetary recognition provided by Volunteer Florida. The Excellence in Education Award winners are:
- Lucy Anselmo, 4-5th grade teacher, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, Glades County
- Jennifer Brittingham, K-12th grade teacher, Ahfachkee School, Hendry County
- Rachel Jones, 4th grade teacher, Pemayetv Emahakv Charter School, Glades County
- Cesar Tavares, K-12th grade teacher, Ahfachkee School, Hendry County
Volunteer Florida thanks the sponsors and partners for the 2024 Native American Heritage Contests: Seminole Tribe of Florida, Florida Prepaid College Foundation, Florida Department of State, and the Florida Department of Education.
Florida Students Invited to Participate in
2024 Native American Heritage Month Contests
The Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida encourage students to participate in the Native American Heritage Month student art and essay contests with the theme “Honoring Native American Contributions to Florida’s Success.” Native American Heritage Month is recognized and celebrated in the United States during the month of November.
“Florida has a rich history that celebrates Native Americans and provides students with terrific opportunities to learn about the many Native American Floridians who contributed to our state’s success,” said Commissioner of Education Manny Diaz, Jr. “The influence of Native American culture is evident throughout Florida and I look forward to seeing the inspiration our students gain from the many excellent examples of Native American achievement in our state.”
“I am honored to recognize the profound impact Native American cultures have on the success of our beloved state,” said Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “Native American Heritage Month is a time to both celebrate and educate future generations about Florida’s Native Americans.”
All Florida students are invited to participate in academic and creative contests based on this year’s theme. Students in grades K-3 are invited to participate in an art contest, while students in grades 4-12 are invited to participate in an essay contest. Additionally, students, parents, teachers and principals are invited to nominate full-time educators of all student grades for the Native American Heritage Month Excellence in Education Award.
About the Student Art Contest
The Native American 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 Native American 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 able to provide a Social Security Number. Each student may enter only one essay, written in English, no longer than 500 words.
There are many examples throughout our state’s history of Native Americans and their contributions to Florida’s success. Using your own words, write about a Native American who has had an impactful effect whose story should be shared. The subject of the essay should be a Floridian.
Some examples are:
- Betty Mae Tiger Jumper – First woman elected as Chair of the Seminole Tribe of Florida
- Florida’s Timucuan Pocahontas, Ulele
- Osceola (Billy Powell) – An advocate for Seminole rights in the 1800s
- Noah Billie – An acclaimed Seminole painter
- Billy Bowlegs III – a historian who helped introduce Americans to the Seminole tribe in the 20th century
About the Excellence in Education Award
Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis’ Native American 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.floridanativeamericanheritage.com.
Mail To:
Volunteer Florida
Native American Heritage Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Road, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32308
All entries must be received by 5:00 pm Eastern Time on Tuesday, November 12, 2024.