SSL Hours Guidelines
The 2025-2026 Keeping It Safe (KIS) Coalition Video Contest is now open! This contest invites public and private Middle School and High School student teams to create a 30-second PSA from one of the following topics:
-
Topic 1: Standing Your Ground: Fighting Peer Pressure from Friends to Drink
-
Topic 2: How Does Under-21 Alcohol Use Affect Your Future
-
Topic 3: Social Media's Impact on Under-21 Drinking
Student teams (of at least two students) who submit a quality video entry to the contest will earn 5 SSL hours. Student teams will be awarded SSL hours in May 2026 if their submission meets all the contest requirements.
Video Entry Rules
-
All entries must be 30 seconds in length. Slates and credits cannot be overlaid onto the PSA or included in the 30 second message allotment. Entries over 30 seconds will be disqualified.
-
Entries should not include copyrighted images without permission. Copyright materials include, but are not limited to magazines, books, DVDs, websites, films, YouTube, and music.
-
Background music and/or sounds should not interfere with any spoken language
-
Submissions must reflect thoughtful planning, insight into material researched, and accurate coverage of the content.
-
Entries should use creative cinematography and be persuasive to encourage the audience to pay attention to the message and act on it.
-
Only one entry per student group.
-
All entries must have a sponsoring teacher. No individual entries will be accepted.
To Enter:
-
Create a video that follows all of the submission guidelines.
-
Upload your video and include link on submission form. Links that are broken will be disqualified.
-
Submit the Contest Submission Form.
-
Submit a Student Video Contest Consent and Release Form per each participating student.
Check out these Award Winning Videos for inspiration!
All submissions will be reviewed by a judging panel, with cash prizes going to 1st place, 2nd place, 3rd place, and an honorable mention. In addition, there will be one "Most Liked" video that will receive a separate award. Winners will be contacted via email or by phone once the winning entries have been selected. Prizes will be awarded at a reception hosted by Montgomery County’s Alcohol Beverage Services and the Police Department in early May.
Questions?
If you have any questions regarding the contest, contact:
Roddy Aguirre
240-777-6657
Rodrigo.Aguirre@MontgomeryCountyMD.gov
Student participation in this service project is at the discretion of the student’s parent/guardian. The nonprofit organization is responsible for maintaining student safety and privacy at any time the student is interacting with the nonprofit and its clients. The nonprofit organization will determine the number of SSL hours awarded based on the evidence submitted. Parents/guardians should contact the nonprofit directly with any questions and/or concerns. This service activity is designed to be completed within the safety of the student’s home.
