Student Contest Winner Takes Home Scholarship Prize With Informative and Inspirational Essays

Posted on 1/10/2023 

Braydon Lee, a student at Christa McAuliffe Middle School, won in the middle school category of Governor DeSantis’ Hispanic Heritage Month Student Essay Contest. For his win, Braydon earned a two-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation. He was honored during a ceremony at the Governor’s Mansion in December 2022, along with the other student and educator contest winners.

Braydon was tasked with writing two different essays. In response to the prompt to write about a Hispanic-American who contributed to their community, Braydon wrote about Bob Martinez, the first person of Spanish descent to be elected governor of Florida.

His second composition was a personal essay in which Braydon wrote about his background, aspirations for the future, and why he was deserving of the college scholarship prize. He expressed pride about his Costa Rican heritage and described specific college and career plans:

“I am worthy of this scholarship because I’m hard-working, responsible and honest. Academics matter so much to me, and my goal is to attend college, possibly one of the military schools, and then law school. With this scholarship, I am one step closer to achieving this dream. One of my goals is to become a JAG lawyer for the United States Navy and serve our troops and our country.”

Braydon also alluded to the fact that his parents are teachers who taught him the value of education and the importance of helping others. His father Kai Lee is in his 24th year in the School District as a Social Studies and Spanish Teacher. Additionally, Braydon’s mother Lisa Lee is a Kindergarten Teacher at Coral Reef Elementary, in her 23rd year.