The Allegany County Bar Association is sponsoring an essay contest for Law Day (May 1st) 2018. The contest is open to any Allegany County high school student in grades 9 – 12. The 2018 Law Day theme is Separation of Powers : Framework for Freedom. The U.S. Constitution sets out a system of government with distinct and independent branches – Legislative, Executive and Judicial. It also defines the powers of Congress, the Presidency and the Supreme Court and outlines how they interact. These three separate branches share power, and each branch serves as a check on the power of the others.
Interested students should submit a 500 – 700 word essay addressing the following: ESSAY QUESTION: Explain how the three branches of government share power and how each branch serves as a check on the others. Why was this system important to the framers? Discuss some modern day examples that illustrate the concepts of checks and balances, and separation of powers.
Cash prizes will be awarded in the amount of $300 for the first prize and $200 for second prize. Judging will be done by the current officers of the Allegany County Bar Association and essays will be judged anonymously.
Essays should be submitted with an attached cover sheet containing the student’s name, address, phone number, school and school sponsor or teacher. No name or identifying information should be on the essay itself because the judging will be done anonymously. All essays will be assigned a number before submission to the judges.
All entries must be submitted by Thursday, April 12, 2018 to:
Barbara J. Kelley
President of the Allegany County Bar Association C/O ALLEGANY COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
Attention: Secretary
7 Court Street
Belmont, New York 14813
Interested students should submit a 500 – 700 word essay addressing the following: ESSAY QUESTION: Explain how the three branches of government share power and how each branch serves as a check on the others. Why was this system important to the framers? Discuss some modern day examples that illustrate the concepts of checks and balances, and separation of powers.
Cash prizes will be awarded in the amount of $300 for the first prize and $200 for second prize. Judging will be done by the current officers of the Allegany County Bar Association and essays will be judged anonymously.
Essays should be submitted with an attached cover sheet containing the student’s name, address, phone number, school and school sponsor or teacher. No name or identifying information should be on the essay itself because the judging will be done anonymously. All essays will be assigned a number before submission to the judges.
All entries must be submitted by Thursday, April 12, 2018 to:
Barbara J. Kelley
President of the Allegany County Bar Association C/O ALLEGANY COUNTY PUBLIC DEFENDER’S OFFICE
Attention: Secretary
7 Court Street
Belmont, New York 14813
