The quality of both the essays and the artwork was outstanding and pleasantly surprised the organizers of the competition: the Spanish Cultural Center of Miami, the Education Office of the Consulate General of Spain in Miami and the España-Florida Foundation 500 Years.

The following schools took part in the contest: Sunset Elementary, Coral Way Bilingual, Ada Merritt, North Dade Center, Key Biscayne K-8 Center, GW Carver Middle School, Mas Canosa Middle School, Shenandoah, International Studies Charter High School and Conchita Espinosa.

The prizes were handed out on Thursday, Dec. 3 at 6:00 p.m. at the Spanish Cultural Center in a ceremony attended by Spain’s Consul General in Miami, Hon. Santiago Cábanas. The winning essays and paintings were read aloud and displayed and a total of 19 prizes (bicycles, checks and digital cameras), as well as numerous diplomas and books, were distributed to the winners and finalists at the Elementary, Middle and High School levels.

All of the winning works will be exhibited for several days at the Spanish Cultural Center.

The jury, made up of two members of the España-Florida Foundation 500 Years and two representatives of the Consulate General of Spain’s Education Office, examined around 200 works after a pre-selection process at the schools, especially for the paintings.

A total of 1,800 “Viva Florida!” guides published by the Visit Florida tourism marketing company, the España-Florida Foundation 500 Years and the Consulate General of Spain in Miami were distributed in connection with the contest.

SEE THE FOUNDATION FLICKR FOR THE PICTURES OF THE EVENT