The Maryland State Arts Council (MSAC) and arts councils around the state held local and regional competitions with 7,450 students representing 34 schools taking part. "Poetry Out Loud provides a wonderful opportunity for young people to develop a relationship with poems that will continue the rest of their lives,” says Chris Stewart, Program Director, MSAC.

This year’s championship was held on March 10 at the Baltimore Museum of Art and was hosted by Aaron Henkin, with musical guest Wendell Patrick, both of WYPR’s “Out of the Blocks.” This year’s Maryland State Champion is Cayla Turner of Indian Creek School in Anne Arundel County. Cayla will be eligible to compete in the National Poetry Out Loud Finals, held at the Lisner Auditorium in Washington, D.C., April 23-25.

Pictured: (Left to right) Student poets Jeanette Banko, Colonel Richardon High, Caroline County; Kaylor Stroot, Brookewood School, Montgomery County; Kate Maerten, Gerstell Academy, Carroll County; Wansi "Ivy" Huang, Thomas S. Wootton High, Montgomery County; Allison Latham, The King's Christian Academy, St. Mary's County; Faith Rogers, Tuscarora High, Frederick County; third-place winner Aevin Mayman, Barbara Ingram School for the Arts, Washington County; second-place winner Amy Nguyen, Sts. Peter and Paul High, Talbot County; and Maryland State Champion, Cayla Turner, Indian Creek School, Anne Arundel County.

Now in its sixth year, the Annapolis Film Festival kicks off Thursday, March 22, opening its four-day run of early releases and hard-to-find films across the capital. This year’s festival is packed with more than 80 films from 28 countries, as well as industry panels and Q&As with filmmakers. Some highlights include “Beirut,” the opening night film fresh off its premiere at the Sundance Film Festival; Saturday night’s spotlight film, “A Crooked Somebody,” followed by a chat with actor Joanne Froggatt of “Downton Abbey” fame; and the African-American Experience Showcase featuring the documentary “Sammy Davis Jr.: I’ve Gotta Be Me,” followed by a discussion with award-winning director Sam Pollard. Sunday’s Spotlight Event, “A Conversation with Joanne Froggatt,” is sure to be a sell-out, so get your tickets early.

“The Annapolis Film Festival has quickly grown to be a favorite among industry attendees,” says Jack Gerbes, Director, Maryland Film Office, “and a big part of that is its amazing fans. Last year the festival grew to more than 15,000 attendees, and generated an estimated $7 million in economic activity.” For more information and to purchase festival passes, follow this link to the festival website.

After eight years of managing the Maryland Green Travel (MGT) program, the Maryland Office of Tourism is merging it into the Maryland Green Registry, the State’s standard for green recognition programs. As MGT was developed in partnership with the Green Registry, current MGT partners can easily transition to the program and it is easy for new members to join. The Maryland Office of Tourism will continue to promote tourism-related businesses that have achieved green certification (Maryland Green Registry, Trip Advisor, Green Restaurant certification, etc.) on our website; and to recognize those marinas that are members of the Clean Marina program.

The Maryland Green Registry is a free, voluntary program offering tips and resources to help businesses set and meet goals on the path to sustainability, as well as the opportunity to share environmental successes with others. In fact, the registry just reached its 500th member - the Chesapeake Brewing Company in Annapolis. Visit the Maryland Green Registry website for more information or to join.

March 25 is Maryland Day, commemorating the 384th anniversary of the founding of the Maryland colony. The first European settlers journeyed to what would become Maryland on two tiny sailing ships, the Ark and Dove, with the goal of creating the first American colony dedicated to the ideals of religious freedom and tolerance. On Maryland Day, we celebrate the best of our state’s heritage and traditions. Festivities will be held across the state from March 24-26, including Maryland Day at Historic St. Mary’s City; Maryland Day: Orioles and Oaks at the Cylburn Arboretum in Baltimore; and Maryland Day at St. Clement’s Island. Annapolis will be celebrating Maryland Day Weekend a little late this year, with events running April 6-8. For more information and a full slate of events, visit our website’s Maryland Day page.

The Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad State Park opened in March of 2017 with an expectation of welcoming 75,000 visitors in its first year. Through its first 10 months, this remarkable museum had already surpassed 100,000 visitors. Dedicated to the life and legacy of one of America’s greatest heroes, native Marylander Harriet Tubman, the museum serves as the hub of the Harriet Tubman Underground Railroad Scenic Byway, a fascinating and moving tour of important places in Tubman’s life, as well as others who traveled the Underground Railroad. Learn more about this remarkable woman and explore the Eastern Shore along the byway.

2018 marks the 100th anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution which granted women the right to vote. To mark this historic event and the contributions of brave Maryland women who fought for the cause, Maryland will be hosting a series of events throughout the year. On March 3, the Maryland Historical Trust and the Maryland State Highway Administration unveiled the “Suffrage Motorcade” historic marker in Hyattsville, commemorating the July, 1913 pro-suffrage parade that carried a petition to the U.S. Congress bearing the names of 75,000 people demanding women’s suffrage. Liz Fitzsimmons, Managing Director, TFA, and a member of The Governor’s Commission on the Commemoration of the 100th Anniversary of the Passage of the 19th Amendment to the United States Constitution was on hand for the ceremony; and the unveiling event was emceed by Cynthia Miller, Director of Strategic Private Sector Partnerships, OTD, and commission marketing chair. Speakers included Hyattsville Mayor Candace B. Hollingsworth and Maryland Adjutant General Linda L. Singh. To find out more about the commission and upcoming events, visit their website.

Each week, the Maryland Minute provides highlights and insights on this weekend’s events around the state. Maryland Minute is featured on iHeart radio stations in Maryland and Washington, D.C. and on Baltimore’s WBAL-AM 1090.