We are excited to announce the winning essay writers of the 2026 The Honorable J. Mark Hayes, II, SC Bar Senior Lawyers Division Law Day Essay Contest. Please extend our congratulations to the following students:
OVERALL BEST ESSAY WRITER:
Shailey Patel
River Bluff High School, Lexington
Teacher: Carole Farrar
Essay Title: The Trail is Open to Everyone
12th GRADE BEST ESSAY WRITER (TIE):
Victory Masai
Spartanburg County Early College High School, Spartanburg
Teacher: Amy Usry
Essay Title: Securing The Promise
Matthew Roff
Spartanburg Day School, Spartanburg
Teacher: Tim Fisher
Essay Title: A Fair Field To Dream On
11th GRADE BEST ESSAY WRITER:
Jeroboam Leiva
Broome High School, Spartanburg
Teacher: No Teacher
Essay Title: The Rule of Law: The Foundation of the American Dream
10th GRADE BEST ESSAY WRITER:
Kloe Freeman
Spartanburg County Early College High School, Spartanburg
Teacher: Bailey Smith
Essay Title: Justice for Whom? The Rule of Law & the Struggle for an American Dream
9th GRADE BEST ESSAY WRITER:
Nora Vosburgh
Seneca Classical Academy, Seneca
Teacher: Durema Berry
Essay Title: Rule of Law: A Framework for Freedom
BEST ESSAY WRITERS OF DISTINCTION:
Lucas Allen, Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg, Teacher: Brooke McAfee, Essay Title: The Rule of Law
Alice McKinnon Burchett, Spartanburg County Early College High School, Spartanburg, Teacher: Bailey Smith, Essay Title: Law Without Limits
Jenny Chen, Spartanburg County Early College High School, Spartanburg, Teacher: James Newell, Essay Title: The Foundational Principle of The American Dream
Macy Ensley, Byrnes High School, Duncan, Teacher: Susanne Cash, Essay Title: Government Corruption
David Feig, Dorman High School, Roebuck, Teacher: Chris Smutzer, Essay Title: The Rule of Law: The Foundation of the American Dream
Thomas Fuller, Porter-Gaud School, Charleston, Teacher: Dr. Liz Good, Essay Title: Restoring The American Dream Through Law
Isaac Gray, Dorman High School, Roebuck, Teacher: Chris Smutzer, Essay Title: The Past, The Present and The Fortunate
Tyne Knopp, Spartanburg County Early College High School, Spartanburg, Teacher: Lyndsey Williams, Essay Title: The Dreamers Who Defined America
Michael Ian Libertino, Landrum High School, Campobello, Teacher: Beth Henson, Essay Title: Rule of Law, A Safeguard of The American Dream
Wallace Lynch, Spartanburg High School, Spartanburg, Teacher: No Teacher, Essay Title: Opening the American Dream to Female Athletes
Faith Parker, Seneca Classical Academy, Seneca, Teacher: Durema Berry, Essay Title: The Rule of Law: Turning the American Dream into Reality
Civilla Breanne Sharpe, South Carolina School for the Deaf and Blind, Spartanburg, Teacher: Sarah Beth Thomas, Essay Title: Should Students Have More Say in School Discipline Policies?
Bryson Stewart, Woodruff High School, Woodruff, Teacher: Annie White, Essay Title: The Rule of Law and the American Dream: An Odyssey Toward Equality
Abigail (Abby) Williamson, Spartanburg Day School, Spartanburg, Teacher: Amanda McGrath, Essay Title: How We Have Detained the American Dream
Wilson Yarborough, Porter-Gaud School, Charleston, Teacher: Dr. Liz Good, Essay Title: The Rule of Law: The Foundation of the American Dream
The 2026 Law Day Essay theme was “THE RULE OF LAW AND THE AMERICAN DREAM”.
STATEMENT ON THE RULE OF LAW: The Rule of Law is seen as a foundational principle that has made the American Dream possible. The Rule of Law can ensure a stable, fair, and predictable society where citizens can pursue their individual goals. While the American Dream and the idea of success through hard work are historically woven together, the Rule of Law has provided a legal and institutional framework for citizens to act on the aspiration of achieving the American Dream.
The 2026 Law Day Essay topic asked each participating student to write a 1000 word or less essay on the following topic: Discuss whether you agree or disagree with the above STATEMENT OF THE RULE OF LAW. These essays were graded by a group of volunteer members of the South Carolina Circuit Judiciary.
The Overall Best Essay Writer and her family will be guests at the SC Bar’s annual convention which will be held at the Hyatt Regency in Greenville, SC. The overall winner will be recognized on Thursday, January 21, 2027, where she will receive her $1000 check and award. Each Grade Best Writer will receive their award and check for $500 from Judge Hayes. Each Best Essay Writer of Distinction will receive their certificate from Judge Hayes.
The above information can be released to the public.
Please extend our congratulations to all the students who participated in this year’s essay contest. And a special thank you to all the teachers who actively support this special project.
Keep your eyes open for the announcement of the 2027 Law Day Theme!
