Leaders Show Up!
Attendance Awareness Student Art and PSA Contest
Contest Dates:
September 1-30, 2026
Contest Theme:
Show how coming to school helps you learn, lead, and grow.
Contest at a Glance
Quick details for students, families, schools, and district partners.
Who Can Enter:
Florida Students in grades K-12
Poster Contest:
Grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, 9-12
Recognition:
Winners and runners-up are awarded prizes & recognized statewide.
PSA Contest:
Grades 6-8 and 9-12
Contest deadline is September 30, 2026 at 11:59 p.m. ET
Contest Theme
Leaders show up. What does showing up mean to you?
Students may create their own message about how attending school helps them learn, connect, grow as a leader, and prepare for the future. Entries should be positive, creative, and encouraging.
Theme ideas students may explore:
- Learning something new
- Helping a friend
- Working with classmates
- Building confidence
- Trying something new
- Sharing your ideas
- Reaching a goal
- Making your school better
Prizes and Recognition
Elementary Poster Contest (K-2 and 3-5)
Winner $100 LEGO Gift Certificate
Runner-Up $50 LEGO Gift Certificate
Awarded in each elementary age range
Middle and High School Contest (6-8 and 9-12)
Winner $250 Gift Card
Runner-Up $100 Gift Card
Awarded in each grade range category
Entry Guidelines
Poster Entry Guidelines
- Poster entries may be hand-drawn or created digitally.
- Students should not place their name on the front of the poster.
- Student information should be included only in the submission form.
- Accepted file types: JPEG, PNG, or PDF.
- Posters should be easy to read and clearly connect to the theme.
PSA Entry Guidelines
- PSA entries must be 60 seconds or less.
- Students may work individually or as a team of five students or fewer.
- Videos should be positive, school-friendly, and appropriate for public sharing.
- Music must be original, royalty-free, or approved for student use.
- Accepted file types: MOV or MP4.
Who Can Enter:
- K-2
- 3-5
- 6-8
- 9-12
Contest Categories:
Poster Contest: Open to students in grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12. Students may submit hand-drawn or digital artwork.
PSA Contest: Open to students in grades 6–8 and 9–12. Students may submit a video public service announcement (PSA) that is 60 seconds or less. Students may enter individually or as a team of three students or fewer.
Winners will be announced at the Consortium’s ConnectED Conference on October 13, 2026 in Orlando, FL.
Contest Rules
Poster Contest Rules
- Open to students in grades K–2, 3–5, 6–8, and 9–12.
- Entries may be hand-drawn or digital.
- Entries must be original student work.
- Students should not place their name on the front of the poster.
- Entries should use positive, encouraging language and avoid negative, punitive, or blame-based messages.
- Do not use copyrighted images, characters, logos, or brand names unless permission has been granted.
- Students may use digital tools for editing, layout, or support, but the final concept, message, and creative work must reflect the student’s own ideas. Submission where over 25% of the work is created by AI will not be accepted.
- Entries must be received by September 30, 2026 at 11:59pm ET
PSA Contest Rules
- Open to students in grades 6–8 and 9–12.
- PSA entries videos must be 60 seconds or less.
- Students may enter individually or as a team of three students or fewer.
- Videos must be positive, school-friendly, and appropriate for sharing on websites, social media, and at public events.
- Music must be original, royalty-free, or approved for student use.
- Entries may not include copyrighted songs, images, logos, characters, brand names, or video clips unless permission has been granted.
- Submissions must be MOV or MP4.
- Students may use digital tools for editing or support, but submission where over 25% of the work is created by AI will not be accepted.
- Entries must be received by September 30, 2026 at 11:59pm ET
Judging Criteria
Entries will be judged by Consortium partners, education leaders, and invited community leaders.
- Connection to the theme
- Creativity and originality
- Clear, positive attendance and leadership message
- Student voice
One winner and one runner-up will be selected in each grade-level category.
Submission Checklist
- Student name
- Grade level
- School name
- District name
- Parent or guardian contact information
- Teacher or school contact, if applicable
- Digital copy of the poster or PSA
- Completed media release form found on submission page
Questions
Please contact Angel Adams, Director of Communications for the Consortium of Florida Education Foundations
Deadline
Entries must be received by September 30, 2026 at 11:59pm ET