The Smithfield Times and The Schoolhouse Museum are again teaming up for the fourth annual Black History Month Essay Contest.

The contest is for high school students in Isle of Wight and Surry.

Public, private and homeschooled students in grades 9-12 are invited to submit essays that address the contest theme, “Celebrate, Motivate, Inspire.” Contestants are asked to describe an African American in history, your life or your community who has made a positive impact and how that person personally inspired you.

A $150 cash prize will be awarded for the winning essay, which will be published in The Smithfield Times. Second- and third-place essays will earn prizes of $100 and $50, respectively.

Essays of up to 350 words should be submitted by email to editor@smithfieldtimes.com and include the author’s name, school, grade, email address and parents’ names. The deadline for submissions is 5 p.m. Friday, Feb. 9.

A committee of judges from The Schoolhouse Museum will select the winners.