FLORIDA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN ANNOUNCES WINNERS OF
WOMEN’S HISTORY ESSAY CONTEST

Tallahassee, FL (March 21, 2019) — The Florida Commission on the Status of Women (FCSW) honored the winners of its 5th annual Women’s History Essay Contest today during a celebration luncheon on the 22^nd floor of the Florida Capitol as part of the Annual LEAD Summit. The middle-school participants in this year’s contest were challenged to write about an individual whose life of service has made a significant impact on them, just as Women’s Hall of Fame member Mary McLeod Bethune inspired generations to service.

“Last year, the Florida Legislature approved placing a statue of McLeod Bethune in National Statuary Hall in Washington, D.C., where she will be one of only ten women represented in the Hall, out of the 100 statues on display,” says FCSW Commission Chair Lady Dhyana Ziegler DCJ, Ph.D. “Pioneers like Mary McLeod Bethune who believe in the power of service are inspirations to many, even today. We chose this theme to raise awareness of the contributions of the members of the Florida Women’s Hall of Fame to Florida’s History.”

“The Women’s History Essay Contest is an excellent tool which allows our children to learn about the women who shaped Florida. It also lends the learning experience of seeing themselves as leaders seeking ways to improve the lives of women today,” says Elena Spottswood, Chair of the Essay Contest Task Force. “The students who participated in the contest did a great job of expressing the contest theme, and I congratulate them all. I also want to thank all the parents and teachers who helped the students create their entries.”

First place winners in each grade were awarded $100 each; 2^nd place $75. Each was presented a special recognition letter from Governor Ron DeSantis. Students read their essays, and their teachers were also recognized for their dedication to learning. Highlights of the event were addresses by Florida Lt. Governor Jeanette Nuñez and Florida Commissioner of Agriculture Nikki Fried.

Essay contest winners and schools in each grade, with their teachers’ names in parentheses, were:

The 6th grade winners are:

1st Place – Kahni Watts, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School in Ft. Myers (Holly Rose)

2nd Place – Alexa Hoch, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School in Ft. Myers (Holly Rose)

 

The 7th grade winners are:

1st Place – Devanshi Wable, Morgan Fitzgerald Middle School in Largo (Tyler Rogers)

2nd Place – Addyson Domian, Pine View School in Osprey (Fran Squires)

 

The 8th grade winners are:

1st Place – Autumn Rhodes, Paul Laurence Dunbar Middle School in Ft. Myers (Steven Wylie)

2nd Place – Makayla Splittorff, Liberty Pines Academy in St. Johns (Alexandra Martin)