Nebraska State Bar Foundation
Contact:
Doris Huffman
Executive Director
Nebraska State Bar Foundation
P.O. Box 95103
Lincoln, NE 68509-5103
E-mail: doris@nebarfnd.org
Statewide Law Day Essay Contest
Activity Summary:
Nebraska school students, grades 7 through 12, submitted essays examining whether the word "equality" should be added to the Pledge of Allegiance. The essays were judged by sitting Nebraska jurists on the basis of understanding of topic, originality, creativity, clarity, grammar spelling, and content. Winners for each grade level, their teachers administrators, and families were invited to a special Law Day Recognition Luncheon in the capital city of Lincoln. The Nebraska Supreme Court Justice presented the awards, and the Governor gave his Law Day Proclamation at the luncheon.
Activity Narrative:
On February 15, 2002, a letter of invitation was sent to Social
Studies and Government teachers for grades 7 through 12 in all
Nebraska public and private schools. The theme, "Assuring
Equal Justice for All," was stated, and then the writing
assignment was given.
Expanding Public Awareness of the Rule of Law
Through this Law Day activity and the invitation to participate,
approximately 1,800 Nebraska educators were asked to pause to
considered the Pledge of Allegiance and its statement of the most
time honored beliefs of our society operating under the rule of
law. Words such as "liberty" and "justice"
and the consideration of the word "equality" in the
context of the Pledge further refine those beliefs.
Highlighting the Law Day Theme
The essay assignment was tied directly to the Law Day theme,
"Assuring Equal Justice for All." By considering whether
the word "equality" should be placed in the "Pledge
of Allegiance, students were called upon to examine exactly what
"equal justice" means. Once having addressed that question,
they were then ready to consider whether they believed we actually
have access to equal justice or whether other measures need to
be taken to assure it.
Reaching Out to Communities and Schools
In addition to extending on invitation to participate in the
Law Day Essay Contest, we also provided information to Social
Studies and Government teachers statewide that would assist them
in conducting a lesson on the Pledge of Allegiance and in locating
further resources on the topic.
Expanding our database to include the principals of all of the
schools, we hoped to instill the awareness of Law Day and to encourage
other activities within each school's local community.
See these websites for additional publicity on the Law Day event:
Partnerships
The first partnership is that of the Nebraska Supreme Court
and the Nebraska State Bar Foundation. Seeing that the Supreme
Court is a partner in the invitation to participate in the contest
brings on additional element of prestige to the contest and encourages
teachers to sponsor their students in participating in the contest.
The schools, teachers, and students are, of course, integral partners
in this project.
Other partnerships include other branches of state government.
The Governor's Law Day Proclamation and his presenting it at the
recognition luncheon for contest winners made the event on even
more impressive one. Others in attendance at the luncheon included
members of the State Legislature, Federal Judiciary, and other
members of the State Supreme Court and the Court of Appeals. Local
attorneys and other leaders who work to assure equal justice were
also among those who attended the luncheon.
Partnership with local business is another in this Law Day activity.
A local bank purchased and provided engraved portfolios for each
of the student winners.
Quality, Innovation, Effectiveness of Approach
Each year, the staff of both the Bar Foundation and the Supreme
Court have been better able to identify the focus for the Law
Day essay and to provide more guidance for teachers and students.
The number of attendees at the recognition luncheon has grown
to include 75 guests, and the location has been moved to one to
the premiere hotels in the Nebraska capital city. The occasion
is festive, and guests are welcomed with colorful displays of
ABA Law Day materials. Suggestions for including scholarships
as prizes will be explored.
Potential to Expand Impact
The goal is to increase each year the number of classrooms
participating in the contest. This year, more than 30 students
from the Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center were among
the essayists. Encouraging greater participation by at-risk youth
is also a goal of the contest.
Pairing county and district court judges with all contest-entering
classrooms and giving the judges the opportunity to present certificates
of participation is expanding the program in a positive manner.
The more classrooms that participate, the more judges will be
re recruited to make the certificate presentations and other appropriate
comments on the Law Day Theme.
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