Florida Missing Children's Day Contests

Poster, Essay, and National Anthem Contests

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 second Monday of September at 10 a.m.

Essay Contest - OPEN

Deadline: March 18, 2026
   
An essay contest is held each year for 5th grade students across the state of Florida. Florida’s statewide winner is invited to Florida Missing Children’s Day to read their essay during the ceremony and are provided with an award for their exceptional essay. 
   
We ask that schools provide ONLY ONE 5th grade student entry per class or school. One essay will be selected from each of FDLE's seven regions as regional winners. The Florida Department of Education will select the statewide winner from the regional winners.

The 2026 essay contest theme is “This is How I Stay Safe All Day” and should encourage students to research personal safety and think about what they can to do minimize risk of abduction and predation in their daily lives.
   
Essay Contest Information and Application

Essay Contest Information and Application (Spanish)

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 with an additional award package at FMCD from the Foundation. 

Poster Contest – OPEN

Deadline: March 20, 2026
   
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 

Poster Contest Information and Application (Spanish)

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.

National Anthem Contest – OPEN

Deadline: May 1, 2026
   
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.” 
   
Submissions for the National Anthem contest must be emailed to FMCDNationalAnthem@gmail.com. Please refer to the flyer (linked below) for requirements for submission.
  
National Anthem Contest Application

National Anthem Contest Flyer
   
 *An award package for the statewide winner is provided at FMCD to the winner(s) from the Florida Missing Children's Day Foundation.
   
If you have questions about the National Anthem contest or any of the other contests, please email FMCD@fdle.state.fl.us.