Congratulations to our 2020 Black History Month Essay Contest Winners!

We would like to give a big congratulations to our Black History Month scholarship essay contest winners. In celebration of Black History Month, we are proud to announce three exceptional students that recently were awarded a 4-Year Florida College Plan Scholarship!

Each student was tasked with writing an essay that highlights the theme, “Celebrating Untold Stories and Contributions of African Americans in Florida.” The winners were honored at a ceremony hosted by Governor Ron DeSantis and First Lady Casey DeSantis at the Governor’s Mansion on February 26, 2020.

We are thrilled to be a part of celebrating Black History Month, alongside Volunteer Florida and the Governor and First Lady DeSantis. The Florida Prepaid College Foundation has been a sponsor of the student contest for the past 18 years.

Essay Contest Winners:

Elementary School Winner: Aidan Patel, Cypress Woods Elementary School, Pinellas County

Aidan wrote about Mary McLeod Bethune, an American education, stateswomen and civil rights activist who founded Bethune-Cookman University. In his essay, he mentions how Mary Bethune was an “important unsung hero” for her help in gaining equality for African Americans.

Jaylen McCall, Liberty Middle School, Hillsborough County

Jaylen wrote about John Horse, a man who rose out of slavery and became the Chief of the Black Seminoles during the Second Seminole War.

Amarachi Ujagbor, Pembroke Pines Charter High School, Broward County

Amarachi wrote about Dr. Charles Drew, an African American physician and surgeon who pioneered methods of storing blood plasma and organized the first blood bank for the U.S. military.

To hear more from First Lady DeSantis click here.