Choose Respect PSA Contest 2026 - Submit Video by February 15, 2026

Choose Respect PSA Contest 2026

Deadline: February 15, 2026

The 2025-2026 Choose Respect Video Contest is open!

Enter Today! This contest challenges MS and HS students to create an original 60-second video in English or Spanish to promote awareness of dating violence/abuse among teens. Participants are encouraged to be creative!

Students who submit a quality video entry to the contest will earn 10 SSL Hours.

Video entries illustrating child abuse, bullying, cyberbullying, and adult domestic violence will NOT be accepted.

Students will be awarded SSL hours in April of 2025 if their submission has met all of the requirements of the contest. Students SHOULD NOT complete Form 560-51 for this opportunity.

Who can enter? All 6th - 12th grade students living in Montgomery County can enter.  Students can enter the contest on their own or as a group; however, students may only participate in ONE entry. If a student in any way participates in more than one video, all of those entries will be disqualified. 

Submission Deadline: February 15, 2026

•  All submissions must have a title.
  • All submissions must be in either English or Spanish.
  • All submissions must be 50-70 seconds in length.
  • All submissions must be uploaded to Google Drive, Dropbox, YouTube, or similar program.
  • You will then have to provide us with the link via our Online Contest Submission Form (available at www.montgomerycountymd.gov/fjc/chooserespect/video.html)
  • All submissions must address at least one of the following as it relates to dating violence:
  • Physical abuse, emotional/verbal abuse, types of technological abuse, financial abuse or issues around consent.
  • Examples of healthy behaviors in a relationship.
  • Bystander intervention (how to step in and help a friend who is being abused).
  • All submissions must include the Montgomery County Family Justice Center - 240-773-0444 as the resource where victims of domestic violence and dating abuse can get help.
  • Submissions must reflect careful planning, thoughtful insight into the material presented, and accurate and thorough coverage of the content.
  • Submissions may NOT include ANY copyrighted music, audio/video clips, characters, logos, or other protected material. Videos may include music only if it is considered “open source” music, or if it is composed and played by a student (or students) in the group.

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.