Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47 recently issued the following announcement.
Three District 47 students were recently named winners of the McHenry County Bar Association’s 2018 Law Day essay contest. Pictured from left are: Kate Garton, 8th grader, Hannah Beardsley Middle School; Abby Fry, 8th grader, Hannah Beardsley Middle School; and Lucas Nielsen, 7th grader, Lundahl Middle School.
The annual essay contest is open to all 6th, 7th and 8th graders in McHenry County. This year’s theme was “Separation of Powers: Framework for Freedom.” In 800 words or less, students were charged with defining which branch of government -- Congress, the Presidency or the Supreme Court -- affects their life the most and why. Approximately 50 entries were received by the McHenry County Bar Association and essays were judged based on content, originality, personal reflection and interpretation of the theme.
“We received a great group of essay submissions this year," said Jennifer Johnson, 2nd Vice-President of the McHenry County Bar Association and Essay Contest Chairperson. "These three students had essays that were truly phenomenal, and had a unique and thoughtful spin on this year’s theme. Having been involved with our essay submissions for the past few years, I can say that Abby's, Kate's and Lucas’s essays were some of the best we have seen.”
D47 students read portions of their winning essays at the Law Day Ceremony on May 4th at the McHenry County Government Center in Woodstock. Each student received a $100 check and a certificate. Following the ceremony, the students and their families were invited to attend a luncheon featuring guest speaker State Senator Pamela Althoff.
Law Day was established in 1958 by President Dwight D. Eisenhower to strengthen the country’s heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under law. Law Day activities commemorate the legal process that has contributed to the freedoms all Americans share. Today many local bar and legal education associations use Law Day as a legal education tool, particularly for students. D47 students were encouraged to enter the contest by their language arts/social studies teachers Mrs. MacNally (Hannah Beardsley) and Mrs. Dool (Lundahl).
In her essay, Hannah Beardsley’s Abby Fry pointed to Congress as the most influential branch of U.S. government. “Those in the Senate and House of Representatives represent not only our county but also our state. If we have problems or things we want to see get done, we can go to these people who represent us.” Fry said the writing exercise challenged her to “dig deep” to learn about our various government branches and the experience has broadened her interest in politics. “I never knew about all the things Congress does to try to help people. No matter who it is in government they are all helping in some way.”
Lundahl 7th grader Lucas Nielsen said he has considered becoming a lawyer and that the judicial branch was the clear choice. “The judicial branch is what keeps everybody in check and makes sure everyone is doing their job.”
Hannah Beardsley’s Kate Garton named the Supreme Court as the most influential branch of U.S. government. Garton, who entered the contest as a 6th and 7th grader as well, said her family likes politics and frequently watches and discusses the news together. “I like the political scene even though it can be stressful,” she said. “I would love to be a journalist or have some kind of job that involved politics some day.”
Original source can be found here
Source: Crystal Lake Community Consolidated School District 47
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