2013 Essay Contest Topic and Rules
Tutorial

Essay Entry Forms

(PDF) (Word)
Scoring Rubric Standards/Benchmarks

Student Essay Contest

2013 Student Essay Contest

This year’s assignment was entitled Passwords, please, and dealt with one’s constitutional rights in regard to employment hiring practices and social media.

Sponsored by the Modrall Law Firm

For information and questions, contact Evann Kleinschmidt, ekleinschmidt@nmbar.org, 505-797-6087.

2013 Winners


Micaela de la Rosa	Ruaidhri Crofton	Roland Davis III

First Place – Micaela de la Rosa, Centennial High School, Las Cruces

1st place essay - Micaela de la Rosa

Micaela de la Rosa’s definition of impossibility: defining oneself in less than 100 words. That already says a lot about her—she loves language. She is fascinated by the written word and by what can be accomplished and created through its use. Mica is interested in the arts, particularly the performing arts, and has been part of several choirs and theatrical productions. She would like to explore an education in English, the performing arts, and the legal profession. “I feel that these careers offer unique opportunities to connect with people and positively impact their overall life experiences,” explained Mica.

First Place Teacher Joel Hutchinson, Centennial High School, Las Cruces

Joel Hutchinson is a native of New Mexico and has taught English to high school students for 16 years. He has worked for Las Cruces Public Schools for the last six years, preceded by five years of employment in Denver, Colorado, three at Rio Rancho, and two in Pojoaque, New Mexico. Joel and wife Allison have two daughters who keep them busy with afterschool activities and daily life. Reading, golf, basketball, and skiing are some activities that Joel enjoys as well. He particularly enjoys seeing the growth in writing and reading from his students on a yearly basis.

Second Place - Ruaidhrí Crofton, West Las Vegas High School, Las Vegas, N.M.

2nd place essay - Ruaidhri (Rory) Crofton

Teacher Carmen Baca

Ruaidhrí (Rory) Crofton is an 11^th grade student at West Las Vegas High School. He has a passion for American history and government. He volunteers his time at several historic sites and museums including Fort Union National Monument, the City of Las Vegas Museum, and the Las Vegas Citizens Committee for Historic Preservation. After high school, Rory hopes to pursue a degree in U.S. history and museum studies as well as to work as a curator and historical interpreter for one of America’s many museums or historic sites.

Third Place – Ronald Davis III, Oñate High School, Las Cruces

3rd place essay - Roland Davis III

Teacher, Dr. Anne Foltz

Rory enjoys tennis and plays on the school varsity team. Other hobbies include reading and playing video games. He plans to attend college and pursue a doctorate degree. He wants to study programming and software engineering, knowing that the ability to write well and communicate information is imperative. “This contest challenged me to write as concisely and clearly as possible and to convey the information in a formal format,” said Rory.

Past Winners

2012

1st Place: Bryce Newcomer, Oñate High School, Las Cruces (Teacher Joel Hutchinson)

2nd Place: Catherine Cook, Oñate High School, Las Cruces (Teacher Joel Hutchinson)

3rd Place: Jennifer Romero, Oñate High School, Las Cruces (Teacher Joel Hutchinson)

2011

1st Place: Caitlin Stone, Valley High School, Albuquerque (Teacher David Callison)

2nd Place: Kathryn Martinez, Oñate High School, Las Cruces (Teacher Joel Hutchinson)

3rd Place: Melecio Perea, West Las Vegas High School, Las Vegas (Teacher Carmen Baca)

2010

1st Place: Jordan Pruett, Onate High School, Las Cruces (Teacher Dr. Anne Burke-Foltz)

2nd Place: Ellen Rabin, Los Alamos High School, Los Alamos (Teacher Brian Easton)