MLK Jr. Holiday Commission's 2027 Contests and Awards
Closing Date Friday October 30th, 2026, at 5:00 PM
On behalf of the Howard County Office of Human Rights & Equity and the Howard County Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission, students and community members are invited to participate in several exciting contests. 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.
2027 CONTEST THEME: "Let us build the future through stones of hope."
Contests and Contest Rules
Oratory Contest: Open to Howard County Middle and High School students, this contest challenges participants to write and deliver a speech about how they envision the future they intend to build. Discuss challenges, outcomes, and personal growth.
Oratory Contest Rules: Submissions must include a video link (YouTube, Google drive, Canva, etc.) of the student performing the speech, a double-spaced typed version of the speech submitted as a PDF file and completed application attached. The speech should clearly reflect the theme's message. Speeches are limited to 2-3 minutes.
APPLICATION: All essay, oratory and poster entrees must include an application form. It must be signed by a parent or guardian if the student is under 18. Click HERE to download a copy.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND INFORMATION:
All entries must be received by Friday, October 30th, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST
- Via Email: MLK@howardcountymd.gov
- For More Information: Call (410) 313-6430 or Email: MLK@howardcountymd.gov.
Essay Contest: Also, for Howard County Middle and High School students, this competition invites them to articulate their thoughts and reflections about the theme and their plan to make positive changes in themselves, their schools, and their communities. Discuss challenges, outcomes and personal growth.
Essay Contest Rules: Essays must be typed, single-spaced, 500 words or less, and submitted as a PDF file. 12pt Times New Roman or Arial font. Submissions must include completed application with student's name, address, phone number, school, grade, and email address. The application must also be submitted with each submission. Students with disabilities may submit entries using other media and/or visual presentations.
APPLICATION: All essay, oratory and poster entrees must include an application form. It must be signed by a parent or guardian if the student is under 18. Click HERE to download a copy.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND INFORMATION:
All entries must be received by Friday, October 30th, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST
- Via Email: MLK@howardcountymd.gov
- For More Information: Call (410) 313-6430 or Email: MLK@howardcountymd.gov.
Poster Contest: Open to Howard County Elementary, Middle, and High School students, the poster contest presents students with the opportunity to create an original piece of artwork that incorporates the theme and illustrates how to use kindness to make positive changes in themselves, schools, and communities. To submit poster entries, scan or photograph the artwork and email it to mlk@howardcountymd.gov along with your completed application. Please do not send the original artwork. Winners will be notified about sending in the original piece.
Poster Contest Rules: Submissions must reflect the approved theme of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Celebration and should visually express Dr. King’s legacy of service, justice, equality, nonviolence, human rights, and/or beloved community. Digital submissions only. To submit poster entries, scan or photograph the artwork and email it to mlk@howardcountymd.gov along with your completed application. Artwork must be the student’s original work; AI-generated or AI-produced works will not be considered. Tracing or copying from photographs or other artists’ works is not allowed. Do not include copyrighted, trademarked, or branded marks, images or phrases.
APPLICATION: All essay, oratory and poster entrees must include an application form. It must be signed by a parent or guardian if the student is under 18. Click HERE to download a copy.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND INFORMATION:
All entries must be received by Friday, October 30th, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST
- Via Email: MLK@howardcountymd.gov
- For More Information: Call (410) 313-6430 or Email: MLK@howardcountymd.gov.
The "Living the Dream" Award: This prestigious honor is open to students, individuals and organizations that have significantly contributed to making Howard County a better place, embodying the principles that Dr. King championed. Self-nominations are accepted. The Living the Dream Award comes with a monetary prize and trophy. Click HERE to nominate your candidate online. You may also download a fillable PDF application HERE and email it to us.
SUBMISSION DEADLINE AND INFORMATION:
All nominations must be received by Friday, October 30th, 2026 at 5:00 PM EST
- For More Information: Call (410) 313-6430 or Email: MLK@howardcountymd.gov.
2026 Contest Winners
Elementary School Poster Contest
- 1st Place: Kona Paige Olowokakoko
- 2nd Place: Shaheer Ahmed Abbasi
Middle School Poster Contest
- 1st Place: Reese Aderton
- 2nd Place: Amsal Shabeer Abbasi
- 3rd Place: Ellison Taylor
High School Poster Contest
- 1st Place: Morgan Roscoe
- 2nd Place: Karter Shorts
- 3rd Place: Hailey Hyde
Middle School Essay Contest
- 1st Place: Deebshana Khadka
High School Essay Contest
- 1st Place: Grace Barker
2nd Place: Dominic Ye
Middle School Oratory Contest
- 1st Place: Juha Ho
High School Oratory Contest
- 1st Place: Sravika Bolla
- 2nd Place: Chimalum Okoli
The Commission also sought nominations for its annual Living the Dream Award. This award recognizes individuals and organizations that promote the teachings and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. through community involvement.
- Living the Dream Award - Student: Jasleen Multani
- Living the Dream Award - Organization: Luminus Network, Inc.
- Living the Dream Award - Student: Ellison Taylor
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday Commission began its High School Food Drive Competition four years ago with the objective of collecting non-perishable food and personal items (diapers, wipes, etc.) for the Howard County Food Bank. The annual Food Drive Competition values give young people the opportunity to honor King’s legacy through community service. Since 2019, most of Howard County’s high schools have participated.
Participating high schools collectively raised 1,638 pounds of food for the Howard County Food Bank. The Commission and the Food Bank are appreciative of the participation of each high school who participated.
Congratulations to Glenelg High School for winning this year's Howard County MLK Commission High School Food Drive Competition! This is Glenelg's second time winning the food drive competition, raising a total of 1,302 pounds of donations for the Howard County Food Bank.