History is well and alive for three Broward County students, the winners of the 2012 Black History Month essay contest, conducted by the African American Research and Cultural Center (AARLCC). The students will be awarded their prizes on Wednesday, March 14 at 6 p.m. at the AARLCC.

The theme for this year's essay contest is "The Changing Era for African Americans in the United States and Abroad in the 1940s," in honor of the AARLCC's yearlong exhibit, Fabulous Forties on the Avenue.

Read a sample of the winning essays below.

Category: Grades 4-6

Chantel Kristine Mackey, Grade 5, Nova Blanche Forman Elementary School

In her essay, Chantel writes that "in the USA, jobs for African Americans were hard to find in northern and western industrial businesses. Still, this was better than trying to find a job in the South." She also writes that, "World War II took place during the 1940's. It opened up many industrial opportunities for women including African American women."

Category: Grades 7-9

Jordan Arterberry, Grade 8, Seminole Middle School

Jordan writes that her grandpa had been part of World War II, along with "over 125,000 African American soldiers." Her grandpa told her that "they had been put into separate tents even though they still fought the same war . . . and even after doing the same thing as the white people, fighting in the same war, they still came home and had to endure Jim Crow Laws and discrimination."

Category: Grades 10-12

Junie Saint-Preux, Grade 11, Plantation High School

In her essay, Junie says, "Due to the overcrowded cities, the tension among the races grew. By 1943, this had led to race riots. In response, many communities had joined together to form committees in order to improve race relations." She also writes, "Many black leaders had pressured President Roosevelt to ban 'discrimination in the employment of workers in the defense industries or government.' . . . In fact," she says, "the war experience had emboldened the civil rights movement."

The Fabulous Forties on the Avenue exhibit celebrates the historic Northwest 5th Avenue in Fort Lauderdale during the late 1940s. Guests at the exhibit can walk down and explore a street side recreation of NW 5th Avenue, including a variety of stores, a school and a home. Journey through a historical time line of events, browse the shop windows to see artifacts on loan from members of the community, or cool off in the recreated Victory Theatre to watch film clips from the era.