Page 7 - Florida Sentinel 1-28-22

State News
Congressman Charlie Crist is shown with more than 30 local pas- tors on the steps of Mount Zion Progressive Baptist Church to an- nounce the creation of "Faith Leaders For Crist."
First Lady Casey DeSantis Announces 2022 Black History Month Contests
Faith Leaders:
Crist Record Will Address Community Needs And Concerns
~ Student essay contest winners will re- ceive a 4-Year Florida College Plan scholar- ship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation ~
TALLAHASSEE --- First Lady Casey DeSantis announced that the theme for this year’s Black History Month contests will be Celebrating African-American Con- tributions to Florida’s History, and she released information regarding the student art and essay contests, as well as the Excellence in Education awards. Black History Month is cel- ebrated each year in the month of February.
“Black History Month is an opportunity for students to learn about the contributions African-Americans have made through- out Florida’s history,” said First Lady Casey DeSantis.
“Over the next month, we will be honor- ing these contributions and their benefits to Florida’s communities. I encourage all Florida students to join us by participating in this month’s art and essay contests.”
First Lady DeSantis is inviting students to participate in academic and creative con- tests throughout the month. Students in grades K-3 can participate in an art contest and students in grades 4-12 can participate in an essay contest.
Additionally, students, parents, teachers and principals are invited to nominate full- time educators of all student grades for the Black History Month Excellence in Education Award.
About The Student Art Contest First Lady DeSantis’ Black History Month Art Contest is open to all K-3 students in Florida. Each student will submit original, two-dimensional artwork based on this year’s
theme. Two winners will be selected.
About The Student Essay Contest First Lady DeSantis’ Black History Month Essay Contest is open to all grade 4-12 students in Florida. Each student will submit one essay no longer than 500 words based on this year’s theme. Three winners will be se- lected: one elementary school student (grades 4-5), one middle school student (grades 6-8) and one high school student (grades 9-12). Each winner will receive a 4-Year Florida Col-
lege Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.
About the Excellence In Education Award
First Lady DeSantis’ Black History Month Excellence in Education Award Contest is open to all full-time educators in an elemen- tary, middle or high school in Florida. Three winners will be selected: one elementary school teacher (grades K-5), one middle school teacher (grades 6-8) and one high school teacher (grades 9-12). Nominations may be submitted by a principal, teacher, parent/guardian or student.
Contest Entries And Nominating Forms and Guidelines
Student contest forms and educator nomi- nation forms must be mailed to Volunteer Florida or submitted online at www.Florid- aBlackHistory.com.
Volunteer Florida
Black History Month Committee, 1545 Ray- mond Diehl Road, Suite 250, Tallahassee, Florida 32308
All entries must be received by 5 p. m. (ET) on Friday, February 18, 2022.
If mailing, please consider the time neces- sary to ensure the submission is received by Volunteer Florida’s office no later than the aforementioned deadline.
For more information about the contests, please visit www.FloridaBlackHistory.com.
FIRST LADY CASEY DeSANTIS
ST. PETERSBURG —
Congressman Charlie Crist, the leading democratic gubernatorial candidate, launched “Faith Leaders for Crist,” a statewide coalition of pastors and faith leaders sup- porting his Florida for All agenda.
The Tampa Bay area con- tingent says the former Gov- ernor is a man of his word and will defeat Ron DeSan- tis. "I am honored and hum- bled to have the support of some of the best, most inspir- ing faith leaders Tampa Bay and our Sunshine State has to offer.
“As Governor DeSantis tries to silence our voices at the ballot box, Faith Leaders For Crist will be instrumental in ensuring that all Floridians have knowledge, community support, and access to the polls this November,” Crist said.
Black leaders have ac- cused DeSantis of targeting Black Floridians with oppres- sive laws relating to voting rights, the right to protest and ignoring the deadly impact of
the COVID viruses on the community. Thirty faith lead- ers from the Tampa Bay area agreed, “For nearly three decades, Charlie Crist has proven time and time again that he is a decent, compas- sionate leader, grounded in his faith, and staunch in his belief of a better tomorrow for Floridians. Faith Leaders for Crist is ready to hit the ground running, working alongside Charlie to spread his vision for the future of our state, one where all Floridians have a seat at the table. To- gether, we’re going to combat efforts to block peoples’ ac- cess to the ballot box and en- sure voters are mobilized and ready to elect Charlie Crist, our next Governor of Florida this November.”
"Faith Leaders For Crist" is the third grassroots advo- cacy arm announced by the campaign. It will include spir- itual leaders spanning Florida’s diverse religious communities, focused on is- sues important to Floridians in all congregations to create a Florida for All.
FRIDAY, JANUARY 28, 2022 FLORIDA SENTINEL BULLETIN PUBLISHED EVERY FRIDAY PAGE 7-A