NEW YORK, NY (September 15, 2025) — Optimum, the leading provider of fiber internet, mobile and TV services, launched its annual Hispanic Heritage essay contest Monday to honor National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed from September 15 to October 15.
The contest invites middle and high school students across Optimum’s service area to reflect on and express their unique views about Hispanic heritage. It recognizes and celebrates the diverse histories, cultures and contributions of generations of Hispanic Americans across the country.
Available to all students in grades 6-12 attending schools in Optimum’s footprint, the contest runs through Friday, October 31. It offers four Grand Prize scholarships of $3,000 each, along with Honorable Mention prizes.
This year’s prompt asks participants: In Hispanic culture, traditions such as dance, food or historical and family celebrations are important ways people connect and reflect on heritage. People also connect to Hispanic culture through media and entertainment, events or relationships with individuals in their community. In 500 words or less, choose a person, cultural experience, celebration or tradition that has helped you connect to Hispanic culture and explain what that means to you.
Optimum will also recognize educators who encourage their students to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by submitting essays. Special gifts will be awarded to educators who sponsor the highest number of submissions from their students.
“Optimum is honored to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month through this meaningful essay contest, now in its 18th year,” said Jen Ostrager, senior vice president of community affairs at Optimum. “As a company committed to supporting education, this contest provides students the opportunity to share how Hispanic culture shapes their lives and communities. Year after year, we are inspired by the passion and creativity expressed in these essays, and we look forward to reading the stories students will share this season.”
Eligibility requires participants to be students in grades 6-12 attending a school in the Optimum service area. Essays are welcome from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds, must be written in English and received by 11:59 p.m. EST on October 31, 2025.
The contest builds on the success of last year’s event, which awarded four Grand Prize scholarships to Camila A. of Elwood John H. Glenn High School in New York, Agustina V. of Brooklawn Middle School in New Jersey, Catie E. and Nataly N. Runners-up included Emily R. of Robert Frost Middle School in Deer Park, New York; Audrey B. of Hendersonville, North Carolina; Rachelle Zarate of Truckee High School in California; and Charly of Talkington School in Texas, among others.
Optimum continues to deepen its community presence and connect customers to what matters most, including supporting, understanding and celebrating what makes each local community unique. Through initiatives like the Hispanic Heritage essay contest, the company fosters growth and makes a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.
For more on the contest, including submission requirements, prize information and how to submit essays, visit optimum.com/hhm.
This article was drafted with the aid of Grok, an AI tool by xAI, under the direction and editing of Robert Cox to ensure accuracy and adherence to journalistic standards.
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