Ocoee holding Black History Month essay contest

The City of Ocoee will be paying tribute to Black History Month throughout the month of February.

City leaders recognized the significance of black history with the reading of a proclamation during the Feb. 4 Ocoee City Commission meeting. The city also will be hosting its 16th Annual Black History Month Essay Contest for fifth grade students who attend Ocoee elementary schools. The theme of this year’s contest is “A Vision of Hope.” The following schools are taking part in the contest: Citrus Elementary, Hope Charter School, Maxey Elementary, Ocoee Elementary, Prairie Lake Elementary, Renaissance Charter School at Crown Point, Thornebrooke Elementary and Westbrooke Elementary.

So far, more than 300 essays have been submitted for the contest. Winners will be announced at an awards ceremony scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 26 at City Hall; 150 North Lakeshore Dr. The overall contest winner will be awarded a $250 gift card from Best Buy, and first-place winners will receive a $50 gift card from Best Buy. Winning students will recite their essays at the ceremony, which will be televised on Ocoee TV, Spectrum channel 493 and streamed online at ocoee.org/197/Ocoee-TV.

Additionally, Ocoee TV will be airing programs highlighting people and events significant to black history. The city’s 14th Annual Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Day Unity Parade and a special presentation by the Ocoee Human Relations and Diversity Board will be airing on Spectrum channel 493. Both programs also can be viewed on the Ocoee TV YouTube channel. Residents can also visit City Hall to view biographical portraits of notable black Americans.