On behalf of the Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, our students and families are invited to participate in exciting contests.
The MLK Student Contests give students an opportunity to reflect on Dr. King’s legacy while using their own voices, creativity, and lived experiences to express what service, justice, equity, nonviolence, hope, and beloved community mean today. These contests also encourage students to think critically about Dr. King’s teachings and connect them to the issues, hopes, and responsibilities facing their schools, families, and communities. All contest winners will receive a monetary prize and be listed on the County’s Office of Human Rights and Equity’s (OHRE) website. Winners will be recognized at the MLK Celebration on January 17, 2027, at Horowitz Center Smith Theatre, located at Howard Community College.
This year’s theme is “Let us build the future through stones of hope.” The closing date/deadline to enter the contest is October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST.
We would be grateful if you would help promote these opportunities by sharing the attached contest materials with:
The available opportunities include:
- Essay Contest for Howard County middle and high school students
- Oratory Contest for Howard County middle and high school students
- Poster Contest for Howard County elementary, middle, and high school students
Submission Deadline: October 30, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST
Submit entries to: MLK@howardcountymd.gov
Learn more: https://bit.ly/MLKCONTEST27
Links with More Information:
