WILLIAMSPORT, Md. – Trinity Luttrell isn’t resting on her laurels this summer break from school. Instead, the 16-year-old is readying for an early-to-college program, selling copies of her children’s book, working part time, writing cards to the troops and seeking entirely new laurels as she prepares for a pageant competition Aug. 1.
As the reigning Miss Washington County Teen Volunteer, Luttrell is readying for the Miss Maryland Teen Volunteer competition that will be held in Frederick.
Miss Teen Volunteer America is a nationwide scholarship program that seeks to empower young women through service and education.
Luttrell started an initiative called “Mission Gratitude: Cards for Heroes” in which she invites people to join her in sending cards to active-duty military personnel and veterans. The cards have been sent to recruiting offices, the Honor Flight Network, Operation Gratitude and the Carroll County Veterans Independence Project.
“I hope they feel loved and truly know how thankful we are for what veterans and active service members do each day to protect our freedom,” Luttrell said.
Luttrell is a Williamsport High School rising junior who will be studying at Hagerstown Community College this fall through an academic partnership. She hopes to obtain an associate’s degree in business.
She said she was thinking of the World War II veterans in her family as she penned the first cards. The total sent now stands around 200.
Instagram allows her to promote the effort and encourage others to design cards.
Anyone “can help make a difference by simply making a homemade card or reaching out,” she said.
Luttrell self-published “Saylor: The Service Dog” in early 2026 to share with children the role service dogs can play in veterans’ lives.
The winner of the pageant held at the Weinberg Center for the Arts will hold the title of Miss Maryland Teen Volunteer for a year.
The competition features a People’s Choice Voting option at this web address. https://www.pageantplanet.com/choice-award/miss-maryland-volunteer-2026/TFZaQ0RLa2RVcVcwTENDdkMyakpadz09/K3lZU0hXRVRMVUlrMjJJYVZrdWlVdz09.
