By Roberta M. Gubbins
Legal News
Amelia Schon of Mason High School in Mason, Mich., won the American Bar Association Young Lawyers Division third annual Law Day Contest for an individual entry.
Schon's artwork, titled "Dripping with Aequalis," is based on this year's Law Day theme, "Realizing the Dream: Equality for All."
Schon, a graduating senior at Mason High School, explained her work as follows:
"This is a depiction of a gavel coming down on a block, both of which are drawn using sections of the first three articles of the Constitution. The sound lines emanating from the block are drawn using the words of different amendments that have to do with equality (the 13th, 15th, and 19th). The sound lines drip down into the word "Equality," each letter of which is comprised of the word equality in other languages. This picture is my way of saying that the equality of many people of all different sorts of races and languages is ensured by the Supreme Court and other lesser courts, as their ruling on the constitutionality of our laws decides what is fair and just for everyone."
"This piece has tremendous depth," said Christopher A. Rogers, chair of the ABA Young Lawyers Division. "Amelia's entry best captured the understanding of the Law Day 2013 theme in a clear and compelling illustration that forces the observer to reflect on equality and consider the work that remains unfinished. The attention to detail in her artwork is truly outstanding."
Schon learned of the contest from her Advanced Placement (AP) Government class teacher, Linda Pierce. Pierce passes on the scholarship opportunities she receives to her students and their parents to "make sure us kids know that they are available. And this was the first one that I thought 'I should try that.'"
Schon, who was homes-chooled until entering Mason High School and plans to study Social Work at Michigan State University Honors College in the fall, is also interested in art. In her Government class she focused on the Judicial Branch. She combined her two interests to create the work of art.
Schon will receive a $750 Scholarship from the ABA. She and her parents, Stephen and Nicoline Schon, live in Mason. Schon has four brothers.
Ann Keating and Michael Keating of Bergen County Academies in Hackensack, N.J., won first place in the group submission category. In the spirit of collaboration, their artwork was titled "Law Day Collage."
"It is a well-thought-out artistic expression that speaks to the foundation on which the principles of equality and justice are built," said Lacy Durham, public service director of the ABA Young Lawyers Division. "This piece is deserving of this award. I hope that more young people will start to realize Dr. King's dream and strive to make it a reality."
Durham added: "The Law Day Contest sparks so much excitement! It is amazing to see how young people over the country express their appreciation for the law and their understanding of the judicial system."
The winners of the contest will receive prizes up to $750 and a party hosted by the ABA Young Lawyers Division in their hometowns.
Finalists were evaluated based on originality, creativity, quality and relevance to the contest theme. Kiena Cooks of James H. Bowen High School in Chicago was the runner-up in the individual entry category.
The annual Law Day Contest is an opportunity for students to learn about the legal system. All U.S. students, grades 9 to 12, were eligible to submit an art piece on this year's contest theme.
Envisioned in 1957 by then-ABA President Charles S. Rhyne as a special national day of recognition, the first Law Day was established by President Dwight Eisenhower the following year. Congress issued a joint resolution in 1961 designating May 1 as the official day to celebrate the nation's commitment to the rule of law.
While Law Day is officially recognized on May 1, many civic groups and bar associations celebrate with a month of programs, presentations and events.
Co-sponsors of the contest were the ABA Standing Committee on Judicial Independence and the ABA Division for Public Education.
1. "Dripping with Aequalis," the single entry winner of the ABA Annual Law Day contest.
2. Amelia Schon of Mason High School in Mason, Mich., winner of the ABA Law Day contest.
Published: Mon, May 20, 2013
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