Young creatives from Redland Middle School in Derwood have been crowned victors of this year's "Paint the Plow" contest, an initiative by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) to not only spruce up county snowplows but to acknowledge the everyday heroes of public works. Their winning entry, named "Life is a Highway," popped with imagery of a Ride On bus and a highway worker against the backdrop of Sam Eig Highway.
The annual Paint the Plow competition, part of the National Public Works Week, is an endearing local tradition that pulls double duty by both involving students in community service and saluting the essential workers who keep things moving regardless of weather. “Congratulations to Redland Middle School and all the participating students and teachers,” said Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich, “The Paint the Plow competition is a beloved annual tradition that engages students in recognizing the valuable contributions of our public works employees. I look forward to seeing the plows in action during the winter months as a tribute to the men and women who keep our County running,” in a statement released by the official county press release.
More than just a nod to good design, the decorated snowplows serve as mobile monuments to the unseen labor that sustains our community when the snow starts to fall. MCDOT's much-anticipated "Truck Day" event showcased the work on May 16, where the colorful plows received over 2,600 votes and appreciation from the attendees, young and old alike. Students from 11 different middle school teams put their creativity to the test with just two weeks to name and decorate their given snowplows—MCDOT provided the necessary materials.
Redland Middle School earned the top spot and a $500 award, ahead of competitors Hallie Wells Middle School with their "Plow!" design, nabbing second place, and Julius West Middle School's Minions-themed "Snow Ready for Summer" which landed third. The competition, this year, drew a commendable level of creativity. "I want to thank our MCPS students for helping us celebrate our public works employees," Chris Conklin, MCDOT Director, expressed, “I was impressed by the creativity and talent of these students and their efforts to raise awareness of the unseen but vital role our employees play in our community,” as per the official county press release.
These artistic endeavors brighten the otherwise dreary winter roads, where residents will bear witness to these decorated metal canvases later this year. The "People, Purpose, Presence” theme for 2025's National Public Works Week resonates through the bristles of paintbrushes wielded by eager students, alighting snowplows with more than just vibrant paint. Images of their work can be viewed on the MCDOT Paint the Plow page or across social media platforms. For those seeking further insights into MCDOT programs and services, suggestions lead to the county's official transportation webpage or social media feeds on platforms like X, Bluesky, Instagram, and Facebook.
