MY STORY

The judges commented...  “This is a fabulous way to involve students in reading during summer vacation, a time of disengagement for young reader programs. The strategy could transfer to any country's main sport!”

The only North American publication to receive one of these prestigious awards in 2014.

Mental Health Awareness: Empowering Young People to Manage Their Mental Health was awarded First Place in the NIE – Partnerships category. The goal of this project was to educate middle and high school students about healthy strategies for recognizing and coping with mental health challenges caused or exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic. Created in partnership with BayCare, it was written by Jodi Pushkin and designed by Stacy Rector of Fluid Graphic Design. The judges commented: “An important topic, well done and perfect for NIE distribution. Great job.” 

History of Chocolate was awarded First Place in the NIE – Partnerships category. This publication traces the history, cultural significance and economic impact of chocolate from ancient Mesoamerica to the present day and uses primary sources to explore a fascinating chapter in 17th-century Florida history. Created in partnership with American Heritage Chocolate, it was written by Sue Bedry and designed by Stacy Rector of Fluid Graphic Design.

This publication examines the cultural, religious, societal, historical, economic and political factors that lead to genocide through the lens of survivors. Created in partnership with Florida Humanities, it was written by Jodi Pushkin and designed by Stacy Rector of Fluid Graphic Design. The judges commented: “This was an outstanding entry in the NIE category. In many years of judging contests, this entry is the strongest I have seen. It covers all of the bases…Everything was well done. I especially like the ties to history and the use of cartoons, which can be very effective when working with students. This is outstanding work. Great job!”

Be Vape/Smoke Free was awarded Third Place in the NIE – Partnerships category. The goal of this project was to educate young people about the dangers of smoking, tobacco use and vaping and to empower them with specific strategies to resist societal and peer pressure to use tobacco or vape. Created in partnership with Baycare, it was written by Jodi Pushkin and designed by Stacy Rector of Fluid Graphic Design.

Pinellas County All Hazards Preparedness Guide 2022 was awarded Second Place in the NIE – Partnerships category. The goal of this project was to give students and their families, as well as community members, the tools for hurricane and other hazards preparedness and to serve as a preparedness resource throughout the year. In addition to English, the supplement was published in Spanish and Vietnamese. Created in partnership with Pinellas County Emergency Management, it was written by Jodi Pushkin and designed by Stacy Rector of Fluid Graphic Design. The judges commented: “An interesting and well-conceived topic (hurricane safety) for a NIE special section. It's perfect as a physical "keeper"/reference piece. Well done.” 

2013 THIRD PLACE PARTNERSHIPS CATEGORY — According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, each year 48 million illnesses, 128,000 hospitalizations and 3,000 deaths in this country can be traced to foodborne pathogens. ­That is why food safety is a serious matter. This publication, produced in partnership with Publix Super Markets Inc. and Florida Press Educational Services, will enhance your awareness of foodborne illnesses and how you and your family can stay healthy.

2015 FIRST PLACECIVIC LITERACY CATEGORY — Addiction isn't fun. Addiction is lonely, terrifying and insidious." Throughout much of the last century, scientists studying drug abuse labored in the shadows of powerful myths and misconceptions about the nature of addiction. Today, thanks to science, our views and our responses to drug abuse have changed dramatically. As a result of scientific research, we know that addiction is a disease that affects both brain and behavior. This educational publication, geared toward college students and adults of all ages, was created in partnership with DACCO.

2016 FIRST PLACE CIVIC LITERACY CATEGORY — Today’s students will become tomorrow’s voters and leaders, responsible for making decisions about when and how the United States should become involved in conflict or war. They must be prepared to understand the causes, history, geography, politics and consequences of conflict and war and how they relate to local, national and global issues in our increasingly interconnected world. While governmental institutions declare war, it is the average citizen who fights. This publication, sponsored by a grant from the Florida Humanities Council in partnership with the Armed Forces History Museum, takes a look at war and conflict through the eyes of those who served in those wars and conflicts.

Science fiction is a literature of imagination, of ideas and thought experiments, of “what if.” Setting a story in an unfamiliar environment allows authors to explore the potential consequences of political, social, technological and ecological change; of issues such as war, terrorism, climate change, pandemics and overpopulation; and the possible effects of these on individuals and society. Alternate Times: Exploring Science Fiction Literature introduces students and teachers to this vibrant and diverse genre. This publication was produced in partnership with the Altrusa International of Tampa Bay Wilma B. Hogan Foundation, the Catalina Marketing Charitable Foundation, the Frank E. Duckwall Foundation and the University of South Florida Humanities Institute.

Central Avenue has a special place in Tampa’s history, particularly for the African-American community, and the Perry Harvey, Sr. Park, located at 900 E. Scott St., is a place where generations can come together to share in that history, to learn and enjoy. Central Avenue was the heart and soul of a community flourishing with leadership, entrepreneurship, strength and courage. The area was settled after the Civil War, when freed slaves relocated to an area northeast of downtown Tampa called The Scrub. Over time, the neighborhood of The Scrub developed a vibrant business district, and became a cultural mecca of sorts for a number of black musicians. The area was booming, but began to decline with urban renewal and integration. This supplement, created in partnership with the City of Tampa, Tampa Bay History Center and the Florida Humanities Council explores the rich cultural history from The Scrub to The Twist to Perry, Harvey, Sr. Park.

Pathways to Understanding presents an overview of Muslim culture, busts some myths about Islam and Muslims, and explores the causes and consequences of Islamophobia, prejudice and discrimination. The goals of Pathways include fostering understanding of the immense diversity and depth of Muslim cultures around the world and promoting meaningful interactions between Muslim and non-Muslim communities in Tampa Bay. Pathways was created in partnership with Community Tampa Bay, the Doris Duke Charitable Foundation and the Doris Duke Foundation for Islamic Art’s Building Bridges Program.

PARTNERSHIPS CATEGORY

La Florida focuses on the critical role that using native plants in ornamental horticulture can play in preserving native species, protecting Florida’s native habitats and ecosystems, and creating beautiful and sustainable ornamental landscapes. This publication was created in partnership with the Stanley Smith Horticultural Trust and the Florida Native Plant Society.

PARTNERSHIPS CATEGORY

Lights On Tampa is a major cultural event that brings free, public access to light-based public art. This publication, created in partnership with the City of Tampa and Lights On Tampa, explores the art, science and technology of light by examining the artistic works making up Lights On Tampa 2015.

Smile: Your teeth and you won Second Place in the Newspapers Supporting Education & Civic Literacy category. The judges commented, “Clever artwork and easy-to-follow text drives home the importance of healthy teeth. Excellent!” Smile was created in partnership with the

DentaQuest Foundation and the West Coast District Dental Association.

NICHE PUBLICATION

Discrimination is defined as the unfair treatment of a person, racial group or minority based on prejudice. Decades of not treating people with equality and respect spawned the civil rights movement. The Civil War ended in 1865. Yet it took black Americans many decades and a long difficult fight to get what Abraham Lincoln had intended them to have: equality. This supplement, created in partnership with the Altrusa International of Tampa Bay Wilma B. Hogan Foundation, the Frank E. Duckwall Foundation and the Florida Humanities Council, explores the larger issues of intolerance, prejudice, racism and stereotyping in the context of Tampa Bay's past and present.

NICHE PUBLICATION

Your pulse quickens, your stomach churns, your eyes water, your heart rate increases, you lose all sense of time and space. You cannot tell which way is up, down or sideways. The effect of riding roller coasters is tremendous. This Coasters 101 educational poster, created in partnership with Busch Gardens Tampa Bay, explains what causes your sense of unbalance and excitement on a roller coaster. This poster will teach you all about physics. This poster has been updated to include new information focused on Falcon's Fury and the 2014 Florida Standards.

Created in partnership with the American Institute of Architects Tampa Bay, the Florida Department of State, Division of Historical Resources and the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners

Please pass on to your designer that our graphic designers feels this is the best Largoing Green yet!​​​

One of 227 entries judged by a panel of distinguished members of the Tampa gardening, communications, and academic communities