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Essay Contest – Grades 6-8 and 9-12

Students are prompted to select a topic or issue to write out which encapsulates the theme of law day “The Rule of Law and the American Dream”— the idea that no person is above the law — is what ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams.

Essay Contest Rules

  1. Essays are to be 750 – 1,000 words in length (about three to four pages) and should be typed (preferably) or written legibly in ink, double-spaced on 8½”x 11″ white paper using 1″ margins. If mailing, do not staple the essay; instead, please use a paper clip to keep the pages together.
  2. Essays must be written entirely by the contestants. Any use of AI is not permitted.
  3. The essays submitted should not be research papers but instead should contain each student’s original thoughts on the topic.
  4. All essays should include a separate cover sheet with the following information:
    (a) Student’s full name
    (b) Student’s grade level and age
    (c) School name and address
    (d) Essay title
    (e) Submitting teacher’s name
    (f) Submitting teacher’s email
    (g) Parent/Guardian’s name
    (h) Parent/Guardian’s email
  5. Members of the Law Day Committee (“Committee”) will review the submitted essays with the other essays in that category. Essay selection is at the sole discretion of the Committee.
  6. Essays cannot be returned. Students should therefore make a copy of their essays before entering the contest.

Online essay submission and contact information. The deadline for submissions is March 6, 2026.

Essay Contest Prizes
1st Place – An award of recognition and $225 to the school
2nd Place – An award of recognition and $150 to the school
3rd Place – An award of recognition and $75 to the school