[WhiteRob]

Among the 1st place winners of the sixth annual Black History Month Essay Contest was Evany Sneed, age 12, a sixth-grader at James Weldon Johnson Middle School in Jacksonville, Florida.

Her winning essay, entitled, “Just Like Daddy” was inspired by and written about her father, GRAMMY nominated Artist/Producer Troy Sneed, who is the founder of the newly formed record label, Emtro Gospel.

Governor Jeb Bush and First Lady Columba Bush recently announced the winners of the Black History Month essay contest for K-12 students during a reception at the Governor's Mansion in Tallahassee. Students' essays were focused on the theme, "What Impact Has an African American Entertainer, Singer, Dancer, Director, or Actor/Actress from Florida Had on My Life."

“My dad is an African American entertainer from Florida. Although his mark on society is not complete; his impact on my life has been made as he has inspired me to one-day follow in his footsteps as a performer and as a positive role model for others,” says Evany Sneed.

“My dad has traveled all over the world singing and doing concerts,” continues Sneed. “He has worked with some of the biggest names in the music industry, and performed in the most famous arenas. He was in the movie, The Preacher's Wife, with Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington. He has even been nominated for a GRAMMY. I know these are all wonderful accomplishments; however, to me he is great because he is my dad. My dad is my biggest role model.”

“True joy overwhelmed me when I found out that Evany had won the Governor’s Black History Essay Contest,” reflects Troy Sneed. “But when I learned the subject of the essay was about me, I was stunned. I then found out that my son Troy, Jr., had won second place in the high school competition with his essay, ‘Just Like Dad.’ The tears began to flow and I could not stop them because I knew that God was truly blessing me through my children. To God be the Glory!”

Winners were chosen by a panel of educators and community leaders in each of three categories: elementary school (grades K-5), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). The contest essays were judged on the student's inspirational and personal content that told how Florida's civil rights beginning in 1948 and ending in 1969 impacted their life. Three four-year scholarships to any college or university in Florida were awarded to the winners in each category.

"Columba and I were very pleased to learn that more than 3,200 Florida school children participated in this year's Black History Month essay contest.” Governor Bush said. “These contests give Florida students the opportunity to learn about the history of all Floridians. This year's essay topic provides students with a chance to learn about the contributions of our state's entertainers."

The Governor and First Lady were joined at the reception by Lt. Governor Toni Jennings, award winning actress Diahann Carroll (the first African American actress to star in a network television show,) members of the Florida Conference of Black State Legislators, art collector Paul R. Jones, Stanley Tate, chairman of the Florida Prepaid College Foundation, and civic and community leaders from throughout the state.

The Florida Prepaid College Foundation sponsored the scholarships. They can be used at any Florida community college, college or university whose admission requirements the winners meet. Florida Prepaid College Foundation has committed to offering the scholarships annually at Governor Bush and Mrs. Bush's Black History Month Reception.

"Florida Prepaid always looks forward to this annual event and is proud to again sponsor this year's Black History Month essay contest scholarship winners," said Tate.

GRAMMY nominated artist/producer Troy Sneed has toured worldwide as the Assistant Minister of Music for more than a decade with the award-winning Georgia Mass Choir and appeared in Penny Marshall's movie and Disney Production of The Preacher's Wife, starring Whitney Houston and Denzel Washington. Beginning March 9, Emtro Gospel will release a host of live worship projects that effectively capture the praise and worship experience of the church. These releases include: What A Time! from Pastor Rudolph McKissick, Jr. & The Word and Worship Mass Choir, Love Comes In All Colors (April 27) by the Youth For Christ Mass Choir directed by Troy Sneed and Assignment #1 (June 8) from Bishop L. Spenser Smith & Testament. More information on Troy Sneed and all Emtro Gospel artists can be found at www.Emtro.com.

To view the winning essays, you can visit the Governor and First Lady's Black History Month web site at

http://www.myflorida.com/myflorida/g...ory/index.html.