Why Raíces, and why now?
Raíces is a national essay contest for U.S. secondary students that shines a light on the living presence and contributions of the Hispanic community across the United States. Students are invited to tell the story behind a street name, a monument, a festival, a local leader, an organization, family recipe, culinary tradition, or even a neighborhood restaurant that connects their community to the Hispanic world. The goal is simple and powerful: to make visible what is often overlooked and affirm that Hispanic communities are here and are an active part of our shared society.
Timed with the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, Raíces highlights the crucial economic and military support that Hispanic communities from Spain and the Americas provided to General Washington during the Revolutionary War—support that rarely appears in traditional narratives.
Who is behind Raíces?
Conceived by journalist and U.S. correspondent Guillermo Fesser, author of “Conoce a Bernardo de Gálvez / Get to Know Bernardo de Gálvez,” studied in many U.S. elementary and middle schools. A distinguished jury of chefs, scholars, journalists, educators, and community leaders serves as ambassadors for the contest. Their expertise in Hispanic history and culture, as well as their influence in education, media, and public life, helps ensure thoughtful selection of winning essays and broad visibility for students’ work.
José Andrés Chef, founder of World Central Kitchen
Julissa Reynoso former U.S. Ambassador to Spain, lawyer/playwright
Ada Ferrer Proffesor of History at Princeton and Pulitzer Prize winner for Cuba An American History
Bill Owens former executive producer of 60 Minutes (CBS News)
Luis Fernández Chairman, NBCUniversal TELEMUNDO Enterprises
Richard Kagan Historian, Professor at Johns Hopkins University
Ángel Cabrera President of Georgia Institute of Technology
Nuria Morgado President of the North American Academy of the Spanish Language
Cecilia Vega journalist, 60 Minutes (CBS)
Ángeles Moreno Ambassador of Spain to the U.S
Estuardo Rodríguez Director of Friends of the National Museum of the America Latino
Diana Espinal Managing Director, Spanish Language, Vista Higher Learning
James Fernández Professor of Spanish Literature and Culture, NYU
Ángel García Primo President HISDESAT
Joe Perez Executive VP, Goya Foods
Marco Sansavini President Iberia
Isabel Valldecabres President Spanish Royal Mint
Guillermo Fesser journalist, US correspondent
Raices was conceived and oganized by:
Award Ceremony and Prizes
Raíces recognizes that meaningful stories emerge from powerful student–teacher partnerships, so every prize honors both the student and the teacher behind each winning essay, along with their school.
Who can participate and what to submit
Theme and essay guidelines
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Focus: a contemporary element in the student’s community that connects to the Hispanic world.
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Possible topics include:
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A street name, monument, mural, or public space with Hispanic roots.
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A local festival, celebration, family recipe or culinary tradition tied to Hispanic culture.
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A person, community leader, or historical figure of Hispanic origin.
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A social organization, cultural center, or advocacy group.
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A restaurant, business, or institution that reflects Hispanic presence.
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Emphasis: originality, insight, and the power of the story to highlight how Hispanic communities shape local life—more than stylistic perfection.
Eligibility
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Open to middle and high school students enrolled in schools in the United States.
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Each submission must be supported by a teacher or parent who serves as the student’s sponsor; all awards recognize both student and adult.
Format requirements
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Original essay written by the student (no previously published work or AI-generated essays).
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Maximum length: 3,000 words.
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Language: Essays may be submitted in English or Spanish.
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Digital submission only, via the online contest form (no mailed entries).
Evaluation process
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A team of teachers and experts coordinated by the contest organizers will review all eligible entries.
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A dedicated rubric will prioritize originality of the story, relevance to the Hispanic presence in the community, and the clarity with which the student connects local stories to broader Hispanic heritage.
Submit your Raíces essay
Step 1: Write your essay
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Choose a topic in your community that connects meaningfully to the Hispanic world.
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Write an original essay of up to 3,000 words, following the theme and format guidelines above.
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Work with your sponsoring teacher to refine your ideas and finalize your draft.
Step 2: Submit online
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Complete the student and teacher information fields.
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Upload your essay file in .pdf format
Step 3: Confirmation and notifications
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After submitting, students and teachers will receive an email confirmation with an entry ID.
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Notifications about finalist and winner selections will be sent by email once judging is complete.
Partners and sponsors
Raíces is made possible through the collaboration of institutions and companies deeply committed to the Hispanic community, education, and culture. Their support helps us reach more schools, offer meaningful prizes, and bring students’ stories to a wider audience. We are grateful to the Pulsera Project for providing logistical support.
