Posted in: Public
COLUMBIA, S.C. (January 19, 2017)— Broughton Royce Hatcher of Central High School was recognized on Thursday for winning the SC Bar Senior Lawyers Division’s 2016 Law Day Essay Contest. Judge Mark Hayes presented Hatcher with a $1,000 award at the Greenville Hyatt Regency, in conjunction with the annual South Carolina Bar Convention.
The Senior Lawyers Division also recognized the following grade-level winners:
- Olivia Kissinger, 9th grade winning essay (Greer Middle College Charter High School)
- Georgia Price, 10th grade winning essay (Spartanburg High School)
- Hampton Slate, 11th grade winning essay (James F. Byrnes High School)
- Madison Finley, 12th grade winning essay (Dorman High School)
Established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower, Law Day celebrates the American heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law. Every year, Law Day provides legal professionals and others with opportunities to help students and the public understand how the law protects our freedoms.
The 2016 Law Day theme was Miranda: More Than Words. Students were asked to write an essay of 1,000 words or less reflecting on how the Miranda warnings and the other constitutionally recognized procedural rights protect and promote the American aspiration of "justice" for all citizens.
Hatcher’s winning essay was titled “Miranda—Ain’t Nobody Got Time for That” and can be found on the Bar’s website.
“Lawyers and judges have a professional duty to promote respect and understanding of the rule of law,” said Judge Mark Hayes, coordinator of the contest. “By its sponsorship of the Law Day Essay Contest, the Senior Lawyers Division of the Bar fulfills that duty by planting seeds of civic and constitutional knowledge in the minds of the participating students. The resulting essays give me great optimism for the future of our legal system and renew my belief in the worthiness of this noble program.”
This is the sixth year the SC Bar Senior Lawyers Division has sponsored the statewide Law Day Essay Contest. The Senior Lawyers Division thanks Judge Hayes for the time and effort he dedicates to coordinating the contest each year.
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About the South Carolina Bar:
The SC Bar, which has a membership of more than 15,000 lawyers, is dedicated to advancing justice, professionalism and understanding of the law.