WHITE PLAINS, NY (October 14, 2025) — Optimum, the leading provider of fiber internet, mobile and TV services, has launched its 18th annual student essay contest in honor of National Hispanic Heritage Month, observed each year from September 15 to October 15.
Optimum Launches Hispanic Heritage Essay Contest with $3,000 Scholarships for Students
The contest runs through Friday, October 31, with four grand prize scholarships of $3,000 each and honorable mention prizes on offer. A dozen honorable mentions, including finalists, receive additional prizes. All essay submissions must be received by 11:59 p.m. EST on October 31, 2025.
Eligibility requires participants to be students in grades 6-12 attending a school in the Optimum service area. Participants from all ethnic and cultural backgrounds are welcome to submit an essay written in English.
The long-running essay challenge invites middle and high school students from across the country in Optimum’s service area, including Hudson Valley communities such as Beacon and White Plains, to reflect on and express their unique views about Hispanic heritage. The contest recognizes and celebrates the diverse histories, cultures and contributions of generations of Hispanic Americans across the country.
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.
Additionally, Optimum will recognize educators who encouraged their students to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by submitting an essay. Special gifts will be awarded to educators who sponsor the highest number of essay 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.”
Over the years, winners have reflected the rich diversity and talent of students in Optimum’s service area.
Last year, Dylan Adorno, then a senior at Archbishop Stepinac High School in White Plains, New York, earned runner-up recognition as a finalist for his essay titled “Coquito’s Lessons.” The piece draws its name from coquito, a traditional Puerto Rican holiday drink. As recognition for his achievement, Adorno received an iPad.
New York State Assemblymember Amy Paulin described the essay as “beautiful” during an award ceremony she attended, where she presented Adorno with a certificate.
Adorno, now a Global Business Honors Student at Fordham University, lists the recognition on his professional profile as a key accomplishment.
Optimum continues to find new ways to deepen its community presence and connect its customers to what matters most, which includes supporting, understanding and celebrating what makes each of its local communities unique. Through initiatives like its Hispanic Heritage essay contest, the company demonstrates its ongoing dedication to fostering growth and making a meaningful difference in the communities it serves.
For more on Optimum’s Hispanic Heritage essay contest, including submission requirements, information on prizes and how to submit essays, visit optimum.com/hhm.
Essay Contest Tips
Entering an essay contest can be a rewarding way to showcase writing skills, build a resume for college applications and win scholarships or prizes, whether targeting Optimum’s Hispanic Heritage Month contest or broader competitions.
Success starts with preparation, including reading the rules thoroughly by making a detailed list of all requirements such as word count, format, theme and submission deadlines; competitions often specify minimum and maximum lengths, whether a synopsis is needed and other details, and missing these can disqualify entries instantly.
Planning a timeline by breaking down the process into stages of brainstorming, drafting, revising and proofreading helps avoid rushing, especially with deadlines like October 31 for many fall contests.
Researching the contest and theme means understanding the sponsor’s goals and past winners to tailor the entry; for academic-style contests, ensuring a clear thesis and structured arguments is key, and looking for reputable ones aimed at high school students maximizes relevance for college apps.
Brainstorming original ideas involves seeking inspiration from personal experiences, current events or diverse reading while focusing on originality to stand out; jotting down ideas without judgment first, then refining them into a compelling angle that engages the reader.
Crafting a strong structure organizes the essay with a captivating opening, logical body paragraphs and a memorable conclusion, using active voice throughout and balancing “showing” vivid details with “telling” insights for impact.
Incorporating a personal story weaves in a genuine narrative to make the essay relatable and authentic, as judges love entries that reveal voice and perspective.
Editing ruthlessly after drafting means revising multiple times for clarity, flow and conciseness while paying close attention to grammar, spelling and adherence to guidelines, as polished work signals professionalism.
Follow these steps to submit a competitive entry and hone skills for future writing.
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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