Anne Arundel County Fifth Graders Enter Mother’s Day Jewelry Design Contest

Fifth-grade students in Anne Arundel County participated in the 15th annual Mother’s Day jewelry design contest hosted by Zachary’s Jewelers in downtown Annapolis.

The competition invited area students to create original jewelry designs and accompany them with short stories celebrating their mothers or other caregivers. Participants were required to submit their colorful designs on standard-sized sheets of paper via the company’s website by March 30, 2026.

Selection Process and Awards

Following the submission deadline, Zachary’s Jewelers selected a group of semi-finalists to attend a special brunch reception. The event took place at the business location at 100 Main Street in downtown Annapolis shortly before Mother’s Day.

During the proceedings, three winners were announced. The winning students were presented with real custom pieces of jewelry for their mothers or caregivers, crafted based on the children’s original designs.

Organizational Perspective

Steve Samaras, the owner of Zachary’s Jewelers, noted the significance of the annual event and the quality of the student contributions.

The annual Zachary’s Mother’s Day Jewelry Design Contest has a very special place in our hearts. It is always amazing to see the imagination and talent that the area fifth graders bring to the contest. The best part about the contest is presenting the finished pieces to the artists and their mom, it is a beautiful exchange that never disappoints.

Constance Polamalu, the Chief Operating Officer, emphasized the connection between the students’ creativity and the professional design process, stating that Before any great designer is born, there is a young person with a creative mind and determined spirit.

Polamalu added that reviewing the contest submissions serves as a reminder of her own childhood sketch books.