Sunny Isles Beach is giving middle school students a chance to win a $300 gift card for a handwritten essay.

The city's Florida City Week Writing Contest invites residents in grades 6 through 8 to submit a one-page, handwritten essay proposing one idea to improve their community, according to an announcement on the city's website. Essays must be handwritten and completed independently, without assistance from artificial intelligence.

The 2026 contest opens Monday, Oct. 19, and entries are due Wednesday, Nov. 4. Students must drop off essays in person at the Sunny Isles Beach Visitor Center, 18070 Collins Ave., open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.

The prompt asks students to pick one new idea, program or improvement they would bring to the city, explain why it matters and describe how it could help residents.

Prizes and recognition

Three winners will take home gift cards: $300 for first place, $200 for second and $100 for third. All three will be recognized at the Nov. 19 City Commission meeting at 6:30 p.m. Winners will be notified by Nov. 13.

The city's elected officials will judge the essays on five criteria, scored out of 100 possible points. Creativity and originality: 25 points. Community impact: 25. Explanation of the idea: 25. Organization and clarity: 15. Grammar and writing: 10.

Who can enter

The contest is open to Sunny Isles Beach residents in grades 6 through 8. Parents, children and siblings of city employees or elected officials, as well as members of their households, are not eligible. Parents or guardians must give permission for students to participate and sign a consent form before any prize is awarded.

Entry is free.

Florida City Week is an annual October observance when cities across Florida highlight the work of municipal government. The Florida League of Cities sponsors the statewide effort, which runs Oct. 19-25, 2026.

Upcoming

  • Oct. 19: Contest entries accepted at the Visitor Center
  • Nov. 4: Entry deadline
  • Nov. 13: Winners notified
  • Nov. 19: Recognition at City Commission meeting, 6:30 p.m., 18070 Collins Ave.