Florida Missing Children's Day Contests
Poster, Essay, and National Anthem Contests
There are open contests at this time.
The goal of these contests is to provide teachers, families, and communities with the opportunity to discuss ways for children to stay safe from abduction. The statewide winners are recognized at Florida Missing Children's Day. Students are invited to watch the Florida Missing Children’s Day ceremony on the Florida Channel or via the web at www.theFloridaChannel.org on the 2nd Monday of September at 10 a.m.
Poster Contest: DEADLINE IS FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2025
The National Missing Children’s Day poster contest organized by the United States’ Department of Justice’s Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Office is held yearly for 5th grade students. The Florida state winner is invited to Florida Missing Children's Day (FMCD) and provided an award for their exceptional drawing. Florida uses their image to design the year's state billboard recognizing missing children in Florida which is displayed around the state.
Poster Contest Information and Application
Spanish Poster Contest Information and Application
Poster Contest Flyer
*An award package for the statewide winner is provided at FMCD to the winner from the Florida Missing Children's Day Foundation.
Click here to view the Missing Children's Day statewide winner poster contest gallery.
Essay Contest: DEADLINE IS WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 2025
An essay contest is held each year for 5th grade students across the state of Florida. The Florida statewide winner is invited to FMCD to read their essay and provided an award for their exceptional essay.
We ask that schools ONLY provide one 5th grade student entry per class or school. One essay will be selected from each of FDLE's 7 regions as regional winners. The Florida Department of Education will select the state-wide winner from the regional winners.
Essay Contest Information and Application
Essay Contest Flyer
*Regional award winners are issued a $100 dollar check from the Florida Missing Children's Day Foundation. The statewide winner is provided an additional award package at FMCD from the Foundation.
National Anthem Contest: INFORMATION COMING SOON, DEADLINE WILL BE MAY 2, 2025
A national anthem contest is held each year for students in grades first to eighth (1st - 8th), The Florida statewide winner is invited to attend FMCD to open the ceremony by singing the National Anthem, “The Star Spangled-Banner”.
The contest generally opens in the Spring.
*An award package for the statewide winner is provided at FMCD to the winner(s) from the Florida Missing Children's Day Foundation.
Questions about the contests may be submitted to FMCD@fdle.state.fl.us.