Law Day Events

While the official celebration of Law Day is several months away, all of the 650 students at L'Anse Creuse Middle School North, located in Macomb, Michigan, have already been immersed in thought about this year's theme, "The Rule of Law", in their social studies classes.

This is the eighth year of our school's participation in the law Day Essay contest, sponsored by the Michigan's Lawyers' Auxiliary and State Bar of Michigan. My principal, John DaVia, who also holds a law degree, relishes the opportunity this affords our students to discuss the Constitution and its founding principles. Having the opportunity to put their thoughts on paper, writing for that "real world audience" of lawyers and judges, is an unforgettable experience for our students.

This contest, chaired by Mary Ann Farris, is the perfect opportunity for our students to reflect on constitutional law, appreciating its value. Mary Ann's daughter, a lawyer, creates the seven "should" questions each year that students select from, writing a "position paper", which is an integral part of our state's social studies curriculum. Students write a persuasive essay, taking a stand on an issue, and supporting it in three ways—with a core democratic value, with prior knowledge learned from social studies, and with data, which is this contest is a decision made by the Supreme Court. John Da Via relishes the opportunity to speak to each and every one of our 21 social studies classes about these Supreme Court cases, as the students decide which of the 7 questions they wish to address. This year’s questions included: Should a police officer have the discretion to determine whether to use a "no knock" policy when executing a search warrant? Should prisoners at Guantanamo Bay have the right to habeas corpus? Should a high school library be allowed to install filters on their computers to restrict internet access?

Mary Ann Farris does an exceptional job organizing this contest, which culminates at the reception held on Law Day in our state's capital, recognizing adolescents for their outstanding thinking and writing skills. North's Principal, teachers, and students all anxiously await the results of this year's contest, which will be announced in April.