Ten-year-old R.J. Simmons loves to write and his talents have landed him a full ride scholarship to college.

The FishHawk Creek Elementary student recently submitted an essay to Gov. Rick Scott’s Black History Month essay contest.

The assignment was to write a 500-word essay about an African-American innovator or inventor who had a positive impact on Florida’s economy.

The 5th-grade student wrote about Dr. George Grant, who invented the golf tee.

"I just researched and I realized there was a lot of golf in Florida and he invented to golf tee, so I just figured it would be a good person to write about," R.J. said.

R.J. was one of three Bay area students to win a four-year Florida College Plan scholarship provided by the Florida Prepaid College Foundation.

"I'm excited and I plan on going to college so I mean it's really nice," he said.

His parents are excited, too.

"I really feel like we just won the lottery, to be honest with you," said R.J.’s mother, Kelly Simmons. "It's incredible and we're on cloud nine."

"Financially, we couldn't get a better gift,” said R.J.'s father, Frank Simmons. “And at 10 years old, to know that he's already taken care of and going off to college."

The fifth-grader and his family travelled to Tallahassee to meet Gov. Scott and receive an award.

"I learned that it's good to try everything and have confidence in yourself," said Simmons.

R.J. wants to become a doctor. He’ll head to college in 2022.