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For Immediate Release
Friday, May 22, 2026<\/p>\n
TALLAHASSEE, FLA. \u2013<\/p>\n
This week, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the winners of the America250FL art and essay contest at a reception held at the Governor\u2019s Mansion in Tallahassee. Students submitted original artwork and essays based on the theme, \u201cCelebrating Florida\u2019s Contributions to America.\u201d Six students in grades K-5 and eight middle and high school students in grades 6-12 won a college scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.<\/p>\n
\u201cI was proud to recognize these outstanding students for their hard work commemorating our nation\u2019s semiquincentennial,\u201d said Governor Ron DeSantis. \u201cThe creativity and thoughtfulness of these entries embodies the very best of Florida\u2019s students, and these students have shown a deep appreciation for our state\u2019s heritage and history that I am sure they will carry on in the future.\u201d <\/p>\n
\u201cAmerica\u2019s 250th anniversary of our nation\u2019s independence is a time to honor and celebrate all that our country has accomplished,\u201d said Commissioner of Education Anastasios Kamoustas. \u201cI commend the students who participated in the America250FL art and essay contests. Their submissions thoughtfully captured the ideals and vision of America\u2019s Founding Fathers. I am proud to congratulate the winners on their outstanding work.\u201d<\/p>\n
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\u201cI commend the creativity and intellectual rigor displayed by these students,\u201d said Secretary of State Cord Byrd.\u00a0 \u201cBy honoring and respecting our history, these winners have shown a profound understanding of the true greatness of our nation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
\u201cVolunteer Florida is proud to recognize these talented student winners as part of America\u2019s 250th Anniversary commemoration,\u201d said Josie Tamayo, CEO of Volunteer Florida. \u201cThrough their creativity and thoughtful reflections, these students are helping tell the story of Florida\u2019s contributions to our nation while inspiring pride, service and civic engagement in communities across our state. We congratulate each of the winners and look forward to celebrating their achievements as we honor this historic milestone together.\u201d<\/p>\n
Six art contest winners received a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. <\/p>\n
Claire Grelle, Kindergarten Student at Destin Elementary School, Okaloosa County
Artwork Title: \u201cTourism and the American Economy\u201d<\/p>\n
Ezekiel Yeo, 1st Grade Student at Westbrooke Elementary School, Orange County
Artwork Title: \u201cSunshine Florida Helps America\u201d<\/p>\n
Petra Ambre, 2nd Grade Homeschool Student, Leon County
Artwork Title: \u201cFlorida Feeds America\u201d<\/p>\n
Solange Gonzalez Vergara, 3rd Grade Student at Kendale Elementary School, Miami Dade County
Artwork Title: \u201cFlorida: Helping America Shine for 250 Years!\u201d<\/p>\n
Noah Sisson, 4th Grade Student at Highlands Grove Elementary School, Polk County
Artwork Title: \u201cPalm Tree Promised Land\u201d<\/p>\n
Maximus Villemaire, 5th Grade Student at Challenger K-8 School, Hernando County
Artwork Title: \u201cFlorida is a Sunshine Superhero\u201d<\/p>\n
Eight essay contest winners were selected: three middle school students (grades 6-8) each won a 2-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation and five high school students (grades 9-12) each won a 4-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.<\/p>\n
Middle School Winners<\/p>\n
Reid Monge, 6th Grade Homeschool Student, Pasco County
Esay Title: \u201cThe Man Who Kept Us Cool: John Gorrie\u201d<\/p>\n
Stella Gillam, 6th Grade Student at Independence Middle School, Palm Beach County
Essay Title: \u201cFree Fallin Into History\u201d<\/p>\n
Maverick Williams, 8th Grade Student at Fort White Middle School, Columbia County
Essay: \u201cDr. Cade \u2013 Lightning in a Bottle\u201d<\/p>\n
High School Winners
Jorja Lowe, 9th Grade Student at Lakewood Ranch High School, Manatee County
Essay Title: \u201cHenry B. Plant\u2019s Foundations of Patriotism and Prosperity\u201d<\/p>\n
Hadley Moricle, 11th Grade Student at Bishop Moore Catholic High School, Orange County
Essay Title: \u201cFlorida Grown\u201d<\/p>\n
Angelina Spray, 11th Grade Student at Stanton College Preparatory School, Duval County
Essay Title: \u201cEmpowering Federalism, One Voice at a Time\u201d<\/p>\n
Ethan Brattli, 12th Grade Student at Suncoast Polytechnical High School, Sarasota County
Essay Title: \u201cAndrew Jackson and the Influence of Federalism in Florida\u201d<\/p>\n
Tomas Garcia, 12th Grade Student at Orlando Science Middle\/High Charter School, Orange County
Essay Title: \u201cHenry Flagler\u2019s Contribution to Florida History\u201d<\/p>\n