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The SC Bar Senior Lawyers Division congratulates the following statewide winners of its 2019 Law Day Essay Contest:
- Taylor Sennet, Overall Best Essay Writer (Woodruff High School)
- Heather Harris, 12th grade Best Essay Writer (Blacksburg High School)
- Daniel Herlong, 11th grade Best Essay Writer (Strom Thurmond High School)
- Austin Brown, 10th grade Best Essay Writer (James F. Byrnes High School)
- Jared Moss, 9th grade Best Essay Writer (Broome High School)
Each year, the South Carolina Bar Senior Lawyers Division sponsors a statewide essay contest for students in grades 9-12. This year’s theme was “Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society.” Each student was asked to write an essay of 1,000 words or less to explain how free speech and free press safeguard America from tyranny. One winner from each grade was selected to win $500, and the overall winner received $1,000.
“The Law Day Essay Contest is our way of engaging our future civic leaders in understanding the democratic processes we have in America,” said Judge Mark Hayes, who coordinates the annual contest. “I believe firmly that we in America, have the best form of government ever created. Our democracy is worth the investment for the freedoms it protects.”
Taylor Sennet won the overall best essay prize for her essay entitled “Sustaining a Sovereign Society.” Sennet, a 2019 Woodruff High School graduate will be presented her award in January during the SC Bar Convention at the Columbia Metropolitan Convention Center.
Students whose essays received high scores and Honorable Mention are:
- Blakely Hardin (Indian Land High School)
- Ryleigh Neubauer (Georgetown School of the Arts and Sciences)
- Nelson Ramos (Horry County School Early College High School)
- George Rogers (Dutch Fork High School)
- Jennifer Cristino (Strom Thurmond High School)
- Kaley McMillian (James F. Byrnes High School)
- Elizabeth Morin (Boiling Springs High School)
- Cassidy Springs (Landrum High School)
This is the ninth year the SC Bar Senior Lawyers Division has sponsored the statewide Law Day Essay Contest. All essays, local and grade winning, were reviewed to determine statewide winners. The Senior Lawyers Division thanks Judge Hayes for the time and effort he dedicates to coordinating the contest each year.
“For a long time many factors have led to our education institutions to focus on math, reading, sciences, technology and other important subject to the exclusion of civic education,” Hayes said. “If a democracy is going to be successful, it needs citizens who understand the importance of civic involvement and engagement.”
Established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, Law Day celebrates the American heritage of liberty, justice and equality under the law. In 1961, Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day. Every year, Law Day provides legal professionals and others with opportunities to help students and the public understand how the law protects our freedoms.