Students Invited to Share “What Being a Floridian Means to Me” Through Essays and Artwork
Student Essay & Artwork Contest
Students across Florida are invited to participate in the “What Being a Floridian Means to Me” Student Contest, a creative competition encouraging young Floridians to reflect on Florida’s culture, history, communities, landscapes, traditions, and identity through essays and artwork.
This contest is presented in connection with the Florida 250 Cracker Cowboy Exhibit and the Alva Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration on July 4, 2026.
Students are encouraged to explore what makes Florida meaningful to them through personal stories, creative interpretation, local history, agriculture, ranching heritage, wildlife, family traditions, coastal life, small towns, natural beauty, or everyday experiences growing up in the Sunshine State.
Winning entries may be displayed as part of Florida 250 educational programming and exhibit activities connected to the Alva Museum’s 50th Anniversary Celebration.
Contest Theme
“What Being a Floridian Means to Me”
Students may submit original essays or artwork inspired by:
- Florida history
- Local heritage
- Pioneer life
- Ranching traditions
- Agriculture
- Nature and wildlife
- Family and community
- What it means to call Florida home
Who May Enter
The contest is open to:
- Public school students
- Private school students
- Homeschool students
Participants must currently reside in Florida or attend a Florida-based educational program.
Contest Divisions
Elementary School
Grades K–5
Middle School
Grades 6–8
High School
Grades 9–12
Submission Categories
Students may submit one entry in each category:
- Essay
- Artwork
Essay Guidelines
Recommended Lengths
Elementary School: 250–500 words
Middle School: 500–750 words
High School: 750–1,200 words
Requirements
- Essays must be original student work.
- Essays must relate to the contest theme.
- Typed submissions are preferred.
- Legible handwritten entries will be accepted for younger students.
- AI- or LLM-generated content is not permitted.
- Student names should not appear directly on essay pages to assist with blind judging.
Artwork Guidelines
Accepted Mediums
- Drawing
- Painting
- Mixed Media
- Digital Artwork
- Photography
- Collage
Requirements
- Artwork must be original student work.
- Artwork must relate to the contest theme.
- AI-assisted artwork must be clearly labeled.
- Maximum recommended size: 11″ × 17″
- Digital submissions should be high-resolution JPG or PNG files.
- Please do not fold physical artwork submissions.
Suggested Themes
Students may choose topics such as:
- Florida ranching and cowboy heritage
- Nature and wildlife
- The Caloosahatchee River
- Florida agriculture
- Beaches, wetlands, and forests
- Family traditions
- Community life
- Local history
- Florida culture and identity
- What makes Florida unique
Students are encouraged to be creative, personal, and thoughtful in their interpretation of the theme.
Submission Deadline
Monday, June 29, 2026
10:00 AM
All entries must be received by this deadline.
How to Submit
Digital Submissions
Email entries in any of the following formats:
- DOCX
- JPG
- PNG
Physical Submissions
Alva Museum
21420 Pearl Street
Alva, FL 33920
Delivery Hours
Sundays: 12:00 PM – 3:00 PM
Wednesdays: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Participants wishing to arrange shipping or alternate delivery options may contact organizers directly.
Required Submission Information
Each entry must include:
- Student Name
- Grade Level
- School or Homeschool Group
- Teacher Name (if applicable)
- Parent/Guardian Name
- Parent/Guardian Contact Information
- Title of Submission
Judging & Recognition
Entries will be evaluated on:
- Creativity
- Originality
- Connection to the Theme
- Quality of Expression or Presentation
- Overall Impact
Judging will be conducted by a panel of educators, artists, historians, and community representatives.
Winners Announced
Thursday, July 2, 2026
6:00 PM
Selected Students May Receive:
- Certificates of Recognition
- Public Recognition
- Exhibit Display Opportunities
- Features in Local Media and Social Media
- Sponsor-Provided Prizes
Awards Ceremony & 50th Anniversary Celebration
Saturday, July 4, 2026
9:00 AM – Noon
Awards Presentation: 10:00 AM
Alva Museum
21420 Pearl Street
Alva, FL 33920
The Alva Museum opened on July 4, 1976, and will celebrate its 50th anniversary on July 4, 2026. The celebration honors the museum’s role in preserving Alva’s history, Florida heritage, and the stories of the people who helped shape the community.
Special Anniversary Membership Opportunity
Guests may purchase an annual museum membership for $25 and receive a commemorative cedar wood plank from the Florida Cracker 250 Celebration, burnished with their family name and the Alva Museum Registered Cattle Brand.
The public is invited to attend.
Get Inspired at the Museum
Students, families, teachers, and community members are encouraged to visit the Florida 250 Cracker Cowboy Exhibit before submitting entries.
The exhibit highlights Florida’s ranching, agricultural, pioneer, and Cracker cowboy traditions through stories, artifacts, and local history.
Extended Museum Hours Through July 4
Wednesdays: 3:00 PM – 6:00 PM
Saturdays: 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sundays: 12:30 PM – 3:30 PM
Florida 250 Cracker Cowboy Exhibit
Alva Museum
21420 Pearl Street
Alva, FL 33920
Contact Information
For contest questions, submission coordination, exhibit information, participation details, or volunteer opportunities:
Katrina Salokar
📞 239-470-5611
James Kennedy
📞 239-691-0099
Additional contest materials, release forms, and educational information are available through the Florida 250 Cracker Cowboy Exhibit organizers.
Sponsorship Acknowledgment
This project is sponsored in part by the State of Florida through the Division of Arts and Culture and the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional support from the Florida Council on Arts and Culture.
