2008 Hazardous Weather Awareness Week

Just Read, Florida!, in partnership with the Florida Department of Community Affairs, Division of Emergency Management and several other emergency management partners, is conducting a statewide short essay contest aimed at high school students as part of the 2008 Hazardous Weather Awareness Week, February 2-9, 2008.

Students in grades nine through twelve in all school districts are invited to participate in the statewide essay contest to “Tell Us Your Story.” Six regional winners and one grand prize winner will be selected from each of the seven emergency management areas in the state. Each regional student winner and their teacher will be awarded cash prizes and weather radios for their achievements.Awards will be presented to each of the winners during the week of February 2-9, 2008 at a school in their area.

One of the goals of Hazardous Weather Awareness Week is to promote a culture of preparedness throughout all grade levels. The essay contest is part of an annual public awareness campaign that includes distribution of the "Florida Hazardous Weather Guide" to middle school classrooms, children's books in elementary school classrooms, and a poster contest for fourth and fifth grader students. Also, as a part of the campaign, there will be a statewide "Tornado Drill" conducted by the Florida offices of the National Weather Service tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, February 6, 2008.

For more information, resources and a complete list of contest rules, deadlines, list of prizes and much, much more, please click on the respective bullets below.

• High School Essay Contest (Rules, Guidelines and Prizes)
• 2008 High School Essay Contest Winners
• 2007 High School Essay Contest Winners
• 4th & 5th Grade Poster Contest (Rules, Guidelines, Prizes and Sponsors)