Bob Graham Education Center congratulated Steven Solomon who won first place in the 5th Annual Black History Essay Contest. Solomon, along with his parents, Sofia Vasquez-Solomon and David Solomon, and his teacher Jackeline Hernandez celebrated his achievement in the United States District Court Southern District of Florida on February 25 with distinguished guests including the Honorable K. Michael Moore, the Honorable Marcia G. Cooke, Miami-Dade School Board attorney Walter J. Harvey, Robert C. Brazofsky from the M-DCPS Department of Social Sciences and members of United Teachers of Dade.
Solomon’s essay emphasized the historical injustices faced by the Black community, the power of voting, and the impact it has on shaping communities.
Solomon said, “Voting is one of the most important rights of citizenship in this country, and one of the most important tools you have. It determines who will govern you and in many cases, how you will live for the period those elected officials are in power. This can have a serious impact on your life…it can create opportunities or take them away. If you vote, you are contributing to your society and giving yourself a better chance for a happier life.”
The essay contest was sponsored by the Department of Social Sciences and the United Teachers of Dade for secondary students. The contest was held to enhance secondary school students’ writing skills while promoting an awareness of the 2015 Black History theme, “A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture.”