The 20th annual (2025) Law Day Essay Contest is live.
The theme for Law Day in 2025 is 'The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One'. The longest enduring motto of the United States is E Pluribus Unum; Latin for 'from many, one'. It originates from the coalescing of many states into one, greater, nation. It also extends to the peoples of those states, and the peoples of today- that though we are many different peoples from different places and backgrounds we are greater when we coalesce into one voice. This year we are asking students to evaluate our government on the delivery of its promise- to make each of us greater by transforming our individual voices into a resonating anthem.
Our Law Day Essay Contest is designed to encourage young people to think about the role of law in society and how law affects their everyday lives, even at a young age. Local Juvenile Court Judge Warren Caswell has sponsored this contest each year since opening his practice in Madison County and has continued the tradition throughout his service on the bench. Law Day, May 1st of each year, was first proclaimed by President Eisenhower in 1958. Law Day is a day of national dedication to the principle of government under law so that we all can strengthen our American heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law.
The 2025 Northern Judical Circuit Juvenile Court Law Day Essay Contest is open to students in the 9th-12th grades who reside in the Northern Judicial Circuit (Elbert, Franklin, Hart, Madison & Oglethorpe Counties). The contest is also open to students who are under the supervision of the Northern Judicial Circuit Juvenile Court regardless of where they are currently placed. Essays will be judged primarily on how well the student supports his/her arguments. Additionally, essays will be judged based upon format, clarity, style, creativity and overall effort. As always, essays will not be judged based upon the ultimate answer or position taken.
Question:
Compose an essay answering the following question:
Does the representative government as established by our Constitution ensure that the voices of our entire citizenry are heard and respected? Discuss both the strengths and weaknesses of our current system.
Entrants should choose a definite position pertaining to the topic and write a persuasive essay for their chosen position. The essay should attempt to balance their desired goal with the direction of our law and Constitution. A complete answer will examine the rights of citizens and the need of government to exercise its power for the good of both society and the individual, and will address all of the posed questions.
First Prize is a $350.00 cash scholarship. Essays must be postmarked by April 15, 2025 to be eligible for consideration. The winners will be announced on May 1, 2025. The winning essay will be published on our website and the manuscript will be submitted to the student's local newspaper, in addition to the cash prize.
All entries must be accompanied by a completed and signed entry form available here.
Entry Form
Rules:
The purpose of the Law Day Essay Contest is to encourage students to think about the role of law in American Government and how they interact with law on a daily basis- even as youths. The winning entries are posted below in Adobe pdf format.
1st Place Miss Elizabeth Johnson
1st Place Miss Samantha Kincaid
1st Place Mr. Andrew S. Zemaitis
2nd Place Mr. Andrew S. Miller
1st Place Mr. Andrew S. Miller
2nd Place Miss Madeline Yearwood