This post was created on 01/14/2020.

Pasco County Tax Collector Mike Fasano announces that his office is accepting entries in a month-long essay contest.  The competition begins February 1 and runs through the final day of February.  The essay contest is for Pasco County’s middle school students (grades 6 through 8).  Students of Pasco’s public/ charter, private, parochial, non-public, and home schools are all welcome to participate.

In 300 words or less students will answer the question: “If you could spend tax dollars to fund any program, what would it be and why?”  Entries will be judged by a panel of directors from the Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office.  Entries will be reviewed on how well the student communicates his/ her response to the question as well as overall essay structure, appearance, and readability.

“We have had a wonderful response to the contest in previous years,” states Fasano.  “I have no doubt that we will receive some excellent essays again this year.  Pasco County has some of the state’s best and brightest students.  The student who writes the winning entry will receive a $300 gift card.  I am looking forward to the day when I am able to hand this wonderful prize to the student who prepares the best essay.”

Students in public/charter schools are asked to submit their essays to their principal, who will forward them to the tax collector’s office.  Students in private, parochial, non-public or home schools may send their essays directly to Greg Giordano, Assistant Tax Collector, Pasco County Tax Collector’s Office, P.O. Box 276, Dade City, FL  33526.  Entries may also be delivered to our office in New Port Richey at 4720 U.S. Highway 19, New Port Richey 34652, c/o Greg Giordano.  Additionally, entries will be accepted via email at ggiordano@pascotaxes.com . If there are any questions about the contest please contact Greg Giordano at 727-847-8179.

Tax Collector Fasano encourages family members, neighbors and friends of eligible students to tell Pasco middle school students about the contest.  Entries will be accepted until 5 p.m. on March 2.  Each entry should include the student’s name, school, grade, and contact information.  The winner of the essay contest will be notified by telephone no later than March 27.  The winning entrant will also be announced via a media release after the winner has been notified.