🎤 Laurel High School Choir is Competing Right NOW - 5 Minutes a Day Can Help Them Win

Laurel, we need to talk about something extraordinary happening right now—and it involves our kids.

The Laurel High School Choir, known as the Spartan Singers, has made it to Round 2 of 97.1 WASH-FM's Christmas Choir Competition presented by Capital One Hall. Let that sink in for a moment. Our students—OUR kids from Laurel High School—are competing against choirs from across the entire region. And they're not just participating. They're advancing.

But here's the thing: they can't do this alone. They need us. Every single one of us.

This Is Bigger Than a Competition

Yes, this is a contest. Yes, there are prizes and recognition at stake. But if you talk to these students, if you spend five minutes with Director Kevin Lewis and see the light in his eyes when he talks about his singers, you'll understand this is about so much more than winning.

This is about a group of young people who chose to pour their hearts into something beautiful during a time when it's easier to scroll, swipe, and disconnect. They chose harmony over headphones. They chose discipline over distraction. They chose to show up, day after day, to rehearse, to improve, to become something greater than themselves.

Under Kevin Lewis's direction, the Laurel High School Choir program isn't just surviving—it's thriving. These students aren't just singing—they're soaring. And the music community is starting to notice.

The Moment Is Now

Making it to Round 2 of a competition like this is no small feat. The Spartan Singers are going head-to-head with schools that have deeper pockets, bigger programs, and more resources. But what they may lack in funding, they more than make up for in heart, talent, and the grit that only Laurel kids possess.

This is their moment. This is their shot. And whether they win or not will be determined by one thing: whether this community shows up for them.

What Winning Would Mean

Picture this: The Spartan Singers win this competition. The announcement comes. Students who've poured countless hours into rehearsals, who've juggled schoolwork and performances, who've believed in themselves and each other—they get to stand in front of a regional audience and be recognized for their excellence.

Picture what that does for these teenagers. The confidence it builds. The validation it provides. The message it sends that their hard work matters, that their talent is real, that their community believes in them.

Picture what it does for the younger students watching from Laurel's middle schools and elementary schools. Kids who might be on the fence about joining choir, who might not think they're "good enough," who might not realize that Laurel produces champions. Those kids see the Spartan Singers win, and suddenly, they see a path for themselves.

Picture what it does for Kevin Lewis and the choir program. More support. More recognition. More resources. More students wanting to be part of something special. A program that continues to grow, to inspire, to give our kids an outlet for creativity and expression.

And picture what it says about Laurel as a community. That we show up for our kids. That we invest in arts education. That when our students reach for something great, we lift them higher.

How You Can Help (It's Easier Than You Think)

Here's the beautiful part: helping is incredibly simple.

Vote. That's it. Just vote.

You can vote ONCE PER DAY through December 17th at 4:59 PM EST. It takes less than 5 minutes. You can do it on your phone while you're having your morning coffee, during your lunch break, or right before bed.

🗳️ CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

That's the link. Bookmark it. Set a daily reminder on your phone. Make it part of your routine. Vote when you wake up. Vote every single day between now and December 17th.

And here's the thing about voting: every single vote matters. This isn't a race where one community has an insurmountable lead. This is winnable. But only if we all participate.

Imagine If We All Voted Daily

We're sending this newsletter to nearly 600 Laurel residents. Imagine if every single person votes once a day. That's 600 votes today. 600 tomorrow. 600 the next day. By December 17th, that's thousands of votes from our community alone.

Now imagine if each of you shares this with one other person who cares about Laurel. Your spouse. Your neighbor. Your coworker who grew up here. Your friend who has kids in Laurel schools. Suddenly we've doubled our impact.

This is how David beats Goliath. This is how a scrappy, determined community rallies around its kids and changes the outcome. This is how we show these students that when they reach for excellence, Laurel reaches right back.

A Message to the Spartan Singers

To every student in the Laurel High School Choir: you've already won in the ways that matter most. You've shown up. You've worked hard. You've made us proud. You've reminded us what it means to commit to something bigger than yourself.

No matter what happens in this competition, you are champions. You represent Laurel with grace, talent, and heart. And this community is behind you 1000%.

But let's be real—we'd also really, really love to see you WIN this thing. So we're going to vote. Every day. Multiple times if we could (but we can't, so once per day it is).

To Every Laurel Resident Reading This

Set an alarm. Right now. Pull out your phone and set a daily reminder: "Vote for LHS Choir."

Make it part of your morning routine, like brushing your teeth or making coffee. Five minutes a day. That's all we're asking.

These kids are doing their part. They're singing their hearts out. They're representing Laurel on a regional stage. They're competing against everyone else and holding their own.

Now it's our turn. Our turn to show up. Our turn to support. Our turn to prove that Laurel takes care of its own.

The Details (So You Have Everything You Need)

📅 Voting Deadline: December 17th, 2025 at 4:59 PM EST
🗳️ CLICK HERE TO VOTE
⏰ How Often: Once per day, every single day
🎯 Who We're Supporting: Laurel High School Choir (Spartan Singers)
🎵 What We're Competing In: 97.1 WASH-FM's Christmas Choir Competition presented by Capital One Hall
👨‍🏫 Program Director: Kevin Lewis

Bookmark that voting link. Share it on social media. Text it to your group chats. Email it to your family. Post it in community Facebook groups. Put it everywhere.

This Is Laurel's Moment

We talk a lot about community in this newsletter. About what makes Laurel special. About how we show up for each other.

This is one of those moments where we get to prove it.

Our kids need us. They've worked for this. They've earned this opportunity. And whether they win comes down to whether we—their community—stand behind them.

Let's not let them down.

Let's vote. Every single day. Let's share this with everyone we know. Let's rally this community the way we always do when it matters.

Let's show these students that when you're part of Laurel, you're never alone. You have hundreds of people ready to support you, champion you, and vote for you.

Let's bring this home.

🗳️ CLICK HERE TO VOTE!

And then vote again tomorrow. And the next day. And every day until December 17th at 4:59 PM.

For the Spartan Singers. For Kevin Lewis. For Laurel High School. For our community.

Let's do this, Laurel.

Coffee & Conversation 📅 10 AM to 11 AM 📍 Laurel Branch Library, 507 7th St, Laurel, MD | Connect with neighbors over coffee and good conversation! This casual gathering is perfect for meeting new people, discussing books, current events, or just enjoying friendly company. Drop in and stay as long as you'd like.

Teen Trip: Symphony of Lights 📅 4:45 PM to 9:30 PM 📍 Merriweather Post Pavillion, 10475 Little Patuxent Pkwy, Columbia, MD | Laurel's teens are in for a treat! Parks & Rec is taking young people to experience the dazzling Symphony of Lights display. Think thousands of twinkling lights, holiday magic and memories with friends. All trips depart from the Robert J. DiPietro Community Center.

Snow Hill Manor Holiday Open House 📅 5 PM 📍 Snow Hill Manor, 13301 Laurel Bowie Service Road, Laurel, MD | Step into holiday elegance at Snow Hill Manor's annual Holiday Open House! Tour this historic property decked out in festive décor, enjoy light refreshments and soak in the charm of the season. Reservations required by calling (301) 249-2004 or email @ [email protected]

Wreath Day at Ivy Hill Cemetery 📅 11 AM 📍 Laurel Municipal Center, 8103 Sandy Spring Rd, Laurel, MD | Honor our veterans by placing wreaths at their gravestones. This moving tribute is organized by dedicated volunteers including veterans groups, scouts, and community members. Join in this act of remembrance and gratitude.

Breakfast with Santa & Mrs. Claus 📅 8 AM to 11 AM 📍 Savage Volunteer Fire Company, 8521 Corridor Rd, Savage, MD | Double the holiday magic! Meet both Santa AND Mrs. Claus over a delicious breakfast! This special event brings the whole Claus family to neighboring Savage for photos, pancakes and precious memories.

Merry Christmas Laurel at First Baptist Church 📅 10:30 AM to 1:30 PM 📍 First Baptist Church of Laurel, 15000 First Baptist Ln, Laurel, MD | A community-wide Christmas celebration! Join neighbors for music, fellowship and the true spirit of the season at this special gathering hosted by First Baptist Church of Laurel. 🎄

Laurel Historical Society’s Holiday House Tour 📅 1 PM to 5 PM 📍 Location TBD | This year’s event will highlight four stunning historic homes, a historic church aglow with newly-restored stained glass windows and a certury-old school. Light refreshments and craft activities for kids will be available at the school stop. 🎟️ Advance tickets are $25 for LHS members and $30 for general admission.

LARS Holiday Cookie Decorating Class 📅 6:30 PM to 8:30 PM 📍 Laurel Advocacy & Referral Services, 309 Laurel Ave, Laurel, MD | Get your hands (and aprons) messy at this festive cookie decorating class! Perfect for kids, adults or anyone who loves frosting and sprinkles. 🍪 Must register in advance!

La Posada Laurel & Salsa Contest 📅 4 PM to 7 PM 📍 House of Restoration Church, 321 Prince George St, Laurel, MD | Come enjoy this beloved tradition with food, Ponche Navideño, a festive piñata and plenty of holiday cheer. Bring your family and friends for a night full of culture, community and celebration. And if you think your salsa is the best in Laurel, enter the Salsa Contest and let our judges decide!

Science Saturdays: Hibernation 📅 10:30 AM to 11:30 AM 📍 Maryland City at Russett Library, 3501 Russett Common, Laurel, MD | Kids, let's explore hibernation! This hands-on science program teaches children about how animals survive the winter. Educational, interactive, and fun for curious young minds.

Laurel Art Guild Holidays Luncheon 📅 12 PM 📍 14600 Laurel Pl, Laurel, MD | Local artists, gather 'round! The Laurel Art Guild hosts its annual holiday luncheon celebrating creativity, community, and another year of artistic achievement. A wonderful way for local artists to connect and celebrate together.

Modern Calligraphy for Beginners 📅 2:30 PM to 4:00 PM📍 Ragamuffins Coffee House, 305 Main Street, Laurel, MD | Learn a beautiful new skill! This beginner-friendly calligraphy class teaches the basics of modern hand lettering. Enjoy coffee and creativity in a cozy setting.

Breakfast with Santa at Laurel Park 📅 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM 📍 Laurel Park, Route 198 & Racetrack Rd, Laurel, MD | A special morning of holiday fun, delicious food and photo opportunities with the big guy himself. 🎅

Wine and Wreaths 📅 3 PM📍 Clyopatra Winery & Vineyard, 24 C St, Laurel, MD | Combine creativity and relaxation! This workshop lets you create your own custom holiday wreath while enjoying wine and festive company.

Holiday Open House 📅 1 PM to 3 PM📍 Montpelier Cultural Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Rd, Laurel, MD | Visit exhibitions in three galleries and enjoy receptions for photographer Berchel Douglas and resident artist David Brosch. Groove to live music, make a holiday craft and celebrate the season with your family and friends!

Christmas Concert at Holy Trinity Lutheran 📅 7 PM 📍 Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, 7607 Old Sandy Spring Rd, Laurel, MD | Experience the beauty of live Christmas music! This concert brings together vocalists and instrumentalists for an evening of beloved carols, classical pieces, and seasonal favorites. Let the music fill your heart with holiday spirit.

Berchel Douglas: Portraits of a City - Public Reception 📅 2 PM to 4 PM 📍 Montpelier Arts Center, 9652 Muirkirk Rd, Laurel, MD | Celebrate the work of artist Berchel Douglas! This public reception showcases powerful portraits capturing the essence of urban life. Meet the artist, view the exhibition, and enjoy an evening of art and conversation.

Thanks for reading this special edition. Now, go ahead and set that reminder right now. Open your phone's clock app. Create a daily alarm. Label it "Vote for LHS Choir." Set it for a time you know you'll be near your phone. Then vote every single day. These kids are counting on us. Let's not let them down.

🎤 CLICK HERE TO VOTE

— Mike Mondy
Founder, I❤️LAUREL

P.S. - Don't forget to move this email to your primary inbox so you never miss an edition!
P.S.S. - Be sure to follow us on Instagram! @ilovelaurelmd📱