Florida Virtual School Student Elyanah Gibson Wins Black History Month Essay Contest

Elyanah Gibson’s father couldn’t contain his excitement when he called to tell her that she won the Florida Department of Education and Volunteer Florida’s 2023 Black History Month Student Essay contest. As a Florida Virtual School (FLVS) Full Time freshman, it was Elyanah’s first time submitting her work as part of a contest.

“Imagine you are thrown into the pit of the Great Depression. The struggle to fill your children’s hollow stomachs and the threat of next month’s rent looms over your head. All the while, maintaining your severely underpaid job and bearing the constant discrimination suffocating your every move. This was life for Augusta Savage, an aspiring artist born in an unforgiving time.”

~ Elyanah Gibson, FLVS Full Time student