Bowie High School NJROTC Graduation 2026
Photo courtesy Bowie High School NJROTC
On May 28, 2026, the Bowie High School NJROTC Battalion attended the Bowie High School Class of 2026 Graduation Ceremony. The ceremony was opened by the Bowie High School NJROTC Color Guard with the presentation of the colors, commanded by C/SA Derrick Ateawung. The graduation ceremony celebrated the accomplishments of the Class of 2026 as students, families, faculty, and community members gathered for the occasion. The Bowie High School Choir and Band also performed during the ceremony. The event marked an important milestone for the graduating seniors as they concluded their high school careers and prepared for their future.
—PAO C/SA Henderson
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Celebrating Freedom, Heritage, and Community at the 2026 Juneteenth Festival in Prince George’s County
By PRESS OFFICER
M-NCPPC
RIVERDALE, Md. (June 2, 2026)—M-NCPPC, Department of Parks and Recreation, Prince George’s County is proud to host the 2026 Juneteenth Festival, a vibrant celebration of freedom, heritage, and community on Saturday, June 13, from 12 noon to 5 p.m. at Watkins Regional Park (301 Watkins Park Drive, Upper Marlboro, MD 20774).
This free, family-friendly event commemorates Juneteenth, the historic day when the last enslaved African Americans in the United States learned of their freedom in 1865. Today, the festival is a joyous community celebration featuring food, music, art, and opportunities to reflect on the rich culture and achievements of African Americans.
The community is encouraged to bring their lawn chairs and blankets for a day filled with live entertainment, cultural activities, food, shopping, historical exhibits, and more.
Festival Highlights:
• Live entertainment by: Rare Essence, Soul in Motion, Proverbs Reggae Band, and Got my Own Sound Band
• History and art activities
• Children’s activities
• Art and food vendors
• Interactive history and art exhibits
To learn more about the 2026 Juneteenth Festival and the Department’s Black History Month program, visit www.pgparks.com
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Lt. Governor Aruna Miller Joins Aviation Command to Celebrate 55 Years of Aviation Section in Prince George’s County
By PRESS OFFICER
Maryland Department of State Police
BOWIE, Md. (June 3, 2026)—Today, Lieutenant Governor Aruna K. Miller joined Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Dr. Douglass Floccare and other honored guests to celebrate the Maryland State Police Aviation Command’s 55 years of medevac, law enforcement, search and rescue, homeland security and disaster assessment services provided by the crew members of Trooper 2.
Trooper 2, based at Joint Base Andrews in Prince George’s County, has long been known as one of the busiest sections in the Maryland State Police Aviation Command. Due to the section’s geographic location and overlapping coverage, calls for service extend farther than those of many other Aviation Sections in the fleet.
“For 55 years, the dedicated crews of Trooper 2 have answered the call whenever Marylanders faced their most difficult moments,” said Lieutenant Governor Aruna Miller. “Whether responding to a medical emergency, conducting a search and rescue mission, or supporting disaster response efforts, they have demonstrated extraordinary courage, professionalism, and commitment to public service. Today, we honor their legacy and thank every pilot, flight paramedic, maintenance technician, and support staff member who continues this lifesaving mission.”
Since inception, the Aviation Command has transported more than 165,000 patients and has contributed to saving thousands of lives, thus earning itself a worldwide reputation as a leader in pre-hospital trauma care and MedEvac. The driving force behind the MedEvac was Dr. R Adams Cowley, the founder of the Shock Trauma Center in Baltimore. He believed that rapid MedEvac transportation of critically injured patients to a trauma center would save lives.
“In a single shift, Trooper 2 may respond to a hoist rescue in Frederick County, a heart attack patient in St. Mary’s, a pedestrian struck in Prince George’s or even a mayday call on the Chesapeake Bay,” said Colonel Michael A. Jackson, Superintendent of the Maryland State Police. “In the same shift they may transport patients in between hospitals in Baltimore, Largo and Washington, D.C.”
It was on March 19, 1970, that the Maryland State Police Aviation Command became the first civilian agency to transport a critically injured trauma patient by helicopter. This had never been done in the past in a non-military setting. The Command’s first MedEvac mission forever changed the world of emergency medical services.
“The creation of Trooper 2 marked the initiation of the first true system of trauma care in the United States,” said Dr. Douglas Floccare, State Aeromedical Director for the Maryland Institute for EMS Systems, “Every day highly skilled medical professionals and first responders work together to provide the highest level of care during transport, ensuring patients reach the hospital best suited for their needs.”
The Maryland State Police Aviation Command currently operates a fleet of 10 AugustaWestland AW139 helicopters that are assigned to seven sections strategically based throughout the state. Aviation hangars are located in Allegany, Frederick, Baltimore, Prince George’s, St. Mary’s, Talbot and Wicomico counties.
The Aviation Command is comprised of 182 dedicated personnel to include pilots, trooper flight paramedics, maintenance technicians and support personnel. The Command’s pilots are all highly skilled and experienced and require a minimum of 2,000 helicopter hours to even be considered for hire. Co-pilots, or second-in-command pilots can be hired with 1,200 hours.
Aviation Command’s trooper flight paramedics are all sworn troopers and nationally registered paramedics. They are among the most highly skilled pre-hospital EMS providers in the country.
The Command’s Maintenance Division is a certified Federal Aviation Administration Part 145 Repair Station. The Maintenance Division’s technicians are responsible for repairing and maintaining the Command’s helicopters and fixed wing airplane with Airframe and Power-Plant Mechanic licenses.
A video tribute to the members of the Aviation Command and all those dedicated first responders who are part of Maryland’s emergency response system produced by Maryland State Police Pilot Hae Kim. The video can be viewed at https://youtu.be/mfY4loj7N2o
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Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Board of Library Trustees Appoints Interim Library Director
By PRESS OFFICER
PGCMLS
LARGO, Md. (June 3, 2026)—The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System Board of Library Trustees is pleased to announce the appointment of Megan Sutherland as Interim Library Director, effective June 1, 2026. Following the departure of the Library’s previous CEO, Dr. Mark Winston, on May 29, 2026, Sutherland will step into this important role while a regional search is conducted for the permanent Library Director.
Since joining PGCMLS in 2017, Sutherland has been a valued leader across multiple roles and departments. She currently serves as the Library’s Chief Operating Officer, where she is responsible for guiding programs, services, and collections at the system’s 19 branch libraries, the law library in the County Correctional Center, and the Library2Go: Career Connector service. She also brings a strong record of government advocacy, including several terms with the Intergovernmental Relations Task Force of the Maryland Association of Public Library Administrators.
Sutherland is an active member of the Maryland Library Association and the Urban Libraries Council, and is a graduate of the Maryland Library Leadership Institute. Her academic background includes a Master of Library and Information Science from San Jose State University and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from Mary Washington College, reflecting the depth of knowledge and commitment she brings to this role.
The Board thanks Sutherland for her strong leadership and for stepping forward to guide the Library during this transition.
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Celebrating Pride Month and the 2026 Rainbow Festival at the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System
By PRESS OFFICER
PGCMLS
LARGO, Md. (June 5, 2026)—This June, the Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is proud to commemorate Pride Month with more than two dozen exciting and inclusive programs for customers of all ages.
At the end of the month, the South Bowie Branch Library will host PGCMLS’s 5th annual Rainbow Festival, an energizing all-ages, all-day event that brings the Prince George’s County community together with local LGBTQ+ organizations for a free and festive community celebration filled with special craft programs, drag performances, storytimes, face painting, balloon twister, and a “Bibliobop” dance party—all leading up to a fun pride parade through the branch.
“The Rainbow Festival brings so much joy to the Library every year,” says PGCMLS Librarian Teresa Miller, who leads the Library’s LGBTQ+ team and serves as lead organizer for the annual event. “This is a chance for everyone to celebrate love and authenticity with their community!”
In addition to the “Rainbow Storytime” program that’s always a crowd favorite, Miller is excited to bring new activities and local partners to this year’s Festival. These include a Latin dance class presented by Rumba Queer, a lip sync drag performance by Angelica Lize, and a special presentation about Maryland’s LGBTQ+ history from the Rainbow History Project.
Ahead of the Rainbow Festival on June 27, Prince George’s County community members are invited to celebrate Pride Month at the Library through programs like Pride bingo and trivia; “Craft and Create” offerings featuring rainbow dragons, pronoun ribbons, and Keith Haring’s pop art; and engaging community film and book discussions featuring titles like “Felix Ever After,” “Rent,” and “Woodworking.” This year’s Pride Month slate, along with the 2026 Rainbow Festival, emphasizes the welcoming spaces, services, and programs for LGBTQ+ community members, families, and allies that PGCMLS is proud to offer year-round.
For the full calendar of Pride Month events at PGCMLS branch libraries, along with curated reading lists and stories from LGBTQ+ history, visit the Library’s LGBTQ+ Heritage Hub.
Featured PGCMLS Events Celebrating Pride Month 2026
2026 Rainbow Festival
Free | Saturday, June 27 at 11 a.m. | All Ages | South Bowie Branch Library
Join your neighbors and local LGBTQ+ organizations and community members for the Library’s 5th annual Rainbow Festival, hosted this year at the South Bowie Branch Library!
This free all-ages, all-day event will include:
• A salsa and bachata dance class presented by Rumba Queer;
• A lip sync drag performance by Angelica Lize;
• Rainbow Storytime;
• Pride crafts;
• Balloon twister;
• A selfie booth;
• A presentation about Maryland’s LGBTQ+ history from the Rainbow History Project; and more!
Festive dress and costumes are encouraged—there will be a parade for all to join in at the end of the afternoon!
Book Crawl: Pride Bingo
Free | Thursday, June 18 at 6:30 p.m. | Adults | Pizzeria Paradiso
Celebrate Pride Month with glitz and glam! PGCMLS is kicking off our summer “Book Crawl” series with a fabulous bingo night at Pizzeria Paradiso in Hyattsville. Featuring fun prizes and library swag; a lively, inclusive atmosphere to celebrate Pride; and a dazzling performance by host Charlemagne Chateau, “Pride Bingo” is free to join—but tables will be first come, first served, so get there early to grab a spot!
Trivia: Fabulous Facts
Free | Tuesday, June 30 at 6 p.m. | Teens and Adults | Upper Marlboro Branch Library
Join your Upper Marlboro neighbors in a lively game of Pride-themed trivia! Run through Kahoot, this interactive quiz-style game will focus on questions that celebrate the fabulous diversity, history, and culture that Pride month is all about. From iconic LGBTQ+ figures to memorable moments in pop culture, the evening promises fun, learning, and plenty of pride!
PGCMLS Pride Month 2026 Book & Film Discussions
Community members are invited to join the Library in commemorating Pride month with thoughtful book and film discussions at multiple PGCMLS branches and other locations around the county.
Book Discussion: “Dead in Long Beach, California” by Venita Blackburn
Saturday, June 13 at 2 p.m. | Teens and Adults | Bladensburg Branch Library
True Crime Book Discussion: “The Third Rainbow Girl” by Emma Copley Eisenberg
Monday, June 15 at 12 p.m. | Adults | Upper Marlboro Branch Library
Solidarity Stories: “Woodworking”
Free | Tuesday, June 16 at 6:30 p.m. | Adults | miXt Food Hall
Book Discussion: “Felix Ever After” by Kacen Callender
Free | Wednesday, June 17 at 6 p.m. | Teens and Adults | Accokeek Branch Library
Book Discussion: “Emperor of Gladness” by Ocean Vuong
Free | Wednesday, June 17 at 6:30 p.m. | Adults | Virtual
Film Discussion: “Fire” (PG-13)
Free | Tuesday, June 23 at 1 p.m. | Adults | South Bowie Branch Library
Featured PGCMLS Pride 2026 Craft Programs
Craft and Create: Pronoun Ribbons
Free | Wednesday, June 17 at 3 p.m. | Adults | Hyattsville Branch Library
Kids Create: Rainbow Dragons
Free | Tuesday, June 30 at 1 p.m. | Ages 5–12 | Upper Marlboro Branch
The Prince George’s County Memorial Library System (PGCMLS) is a beacon within its diverse and dynamic community. The Library serves Prince George’s County through 19 public branches, a law library in the County Correctional Center and 24/7 access to free online resources. As a trusted and responsive community leader, PGCMLS democratizes knowledge and opportunity by providing safe, accessible spaces where customers of all backgrounds can freely engage at every phase of life. www.pgcmls.info/about-us
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