Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida Partner with Seminole

Florida Division of Schooling and Volunteer Florida Companion with Seminole Tribe of Florida to Launch Inaugural Native American Heritage Month Contests

~Contest winners will obtain prizes sponsored by the Seminole Tribe of Florida~

Tallahassee, Fla., November 4, 2022 – At present, the Florida Division of Schooling and Volunteer Florida introduced the official launch of the Native American Heritage Month scholar contests in partnership with the Seminole Tribe of Florida. This 12 months’s contests are centered on the theme of “Celebrating the Achievements of Native American Floridians.” Native American Heritage Month is acknowledged and celebrated in america from November 1 to November 30.

“I’m proud to honor and have fun Native American Heritage Month to showcase the wealthy tradition and their contributions to our nation,” stated Volunteer Florida CEO Josie Tamayo. “We acknowledge the resiliency and power of Native People and proceed to empower their voices for future generations.”

“Native People in Florida have made unimaginable contributions to our state and nation,” stated Schooling Commissioner Manny Diaz, Jr. “We’re happy with our wealthy Native American historical past and stay up for celebrating their many achievements.”

“The Seminole Tribe performs an necessary half in Florida’s historical past and tradition, and we sincerely recognize being included on this significant academic outreach program that reaches college students throughout our state,” stated Marcellus Osceola Jr., Chairman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. “We need to thank Governor Ron DeSantis and First Girl Casey DeSantis, in addition to Schooling Commissioner Manny Diaz Jr., for his or her persevering with dedication to the Seminole Tribe and the native individuals of Florida.”

All Florida college students are invited to take part in tutorial and artistic contests based mostly on this 12 months’s theme. College students in grades Ok-3 are invited to take part in an artwork contest, whereas college students in grades 4-12 are invited to take part in an essay contest. Moreover, college students, mother and father, lecturers, and principals are invited to appoint full-time educators of all scholar grades for the Native American Heritage Month Excellence in Schooling Award. Prizes for contest winners are offered by the Seminole Tribe of Florida. All contest entries have to be acquired by 5 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, November 17, 2022.

In regards to the Pupil Artwork Contest

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Girl Casey DeSantis’ Native American Heritage Month Artwork Contest is open to all Kindergarten by third-grade college students in Florida. Every scholar will submit authentic, two-dimensional art work based mostly on this 12 months’s theme. 4 statewide winners will likely be chosen, and every winner will obtain a $100 artwork provides present card and a 1-year cross to Florida state parks.

In regards to the Pupil Essay Contest

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Girl Casey DeSantis’ Native American Heritage Month Essay Contest is open to all fourth by twelfth-grade college students in Florida. Every scholar will submit one essay not than 500 phrases based mostly on this 12 months’s theme. Six winners will likely be chosen: two elementary faculty college students (grades 4–5), two center faculty college students (grades 6–8), and two highschool college students (grades 9–12). Every winner will obtain a 2–12 months Florida School Plan scholarship and a $100 present card for college provides.

Within the contest, college students are inspired to put in writing a few Native American who has had an impactful and galvanizing impact on their neighborhood whose story must be shared. The topic of the essay must be a Floridian. Some examples are:

• Betty Mae Tiger Jumper, the primary feminine chairwoman of the Seminole Tribe of Florida. Previous to being elected as the primary feminine chief in 1967, Betty Mae Tiger Jumper was a nurse and was co-founder of the newspaper Seminole Information, which has since develop into the Seminole Tribune.
   
•  Osceola, an outspoken advocate for Seminole rights within the 1800s, led the Seminoles towards compelled removing from their lands throughout the Second Seminole Conflict.
   
• Micanopy, born close to St. Augustine within the late 1700s, turned chief of the Seminoles in 1819. Throughout his time as chief, america bought Florida from Spain and he served because the Seminole chief throughout the Second Seminole Conflict.
   
• Billy Bowlegs III, born in 1862, was thought-about one of many best hunters and guides in Florida of all time. He lived to be practically 103 years previous, and was a spokesperson for the Seminoles, serving to doc and inform others about their historical past.

In regards to the Excellence in Schooling Award

Governor Ron DeSantis and First Girl Casey DeSantis’ Native American Heritage Month Excellence in Schooling Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elementary, center, or highschool in Florida. 4 winners will likely be chosen, and nominations could also be submitted by a principal, instructor, guardian/guardian, or scholar. Excellence in Schooling award winners will obtain $2,500 and a set of classroom books.

Contest Entries and Nominating Types and Pointers

Pupil contest types and educator nomination types have to be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted on-line at www.FloridaNativeAmericanHeritage.com.

Volunteer Florida

Native American Heritage Month Committee
1545 Raymond Diehl Street, Suite 250
Tallahassee, Florida 32308

All entries have to be acquired by 5 p.m. (ET) on Thursday, November 17, 2022.

For extra details about the contests, please go to www.FloridaNativeAmericanHeritage.com.

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