News Release

10^th Grader Kiandra Brown of Apopka Wins Governor's Black History Month Essay Contest And 4-Year Scholarship from Prepaid College Foundation

"I have learned and gained too much knowledge to keep to myself." -Kiandra Brown of Apopka

Kiandra Brown of Apopka, who wants to improve education, was announced on Thursday as one of three winners of Governor Charlie Crist's Black History Month essay contest. Kiandra, a 10th grader at Wekiva High School, will receive a four-year Florida Prepaid College scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. Governor Crist and Foundation Board Member Christyne Hamilton presented the scholarship to Kiandra on Feb. 12 at the celebration of Black History Month celebration at the Governor's Mansion.

Valued at nearly $16,000, the Florida Prepaid College scholarship covers four years of tuition and local fees at a Florida public university. The Black History Month scholarship, established by the Governor's Office in 2002 with support from the Foundation, has been granted for seven years to students in elementary, middle and high school who compose outstanding essays.

This year, students were challenged with the question: "The recent election of our nation's first black president demonstrates how far racial equality has advanced since the Emancipation Proclamation was penned by Abraham Lincoln 146 years ago. In his acceptance speech, our new president-elect encouraged all citizens to work together for our nation's continued growth and prosperity. As a citizen of Florida, one of the nation's most diverse and culturally rich states, what will you do to contribute to a brighter future for Florida and all its citizens?"

Kiandra began her essay with a quote from Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., "Even if I knew that tomorrow the world would go to pieces, I would still plant my apple tree." Kiandra wrote that her family and her mentor are her roots, and with their guidance, she has grown into a "tenacious apple tree." She went on to say, "As a young African American, I can help create a strong foundation for the next generation by planting a seed into their lives," and concluded, "I would like to better our education system because education gives us knowledge of the world around us."

Foundation Board Chairman Ted Hoepner said, "Congratulations to Kiandra Brown. The Foundation is committed to its mission of offering college scholarships to the many deserving Florida students who may have thought college was out of reach." A total of 27,509 scholarships have been awarded by the Foundation since its establishment in 1990.

Read Kiandra's essay

www.floridaprepaidcollegefoundation.com