IMPORTANT LINKS

CLICK HERE to view past winning essays

Essay Contest Questions/rules flyer

2010 Essay Contest Tutorial

Info for Teachers

Content Standards with Benchmarks

Public School Essay Rubric

Student Essay Contest

The State Bar of New Mexico announces the 2010 Essay Contest!

2010 HSE Logo

This contest is open to high school juniors and seniors across the state from public schools, private schools, charter schools and home schools.

Now in its 21st year, the essay contest is co-sponsored and administered by the State Bar of New Mexico. The purpose of the contest is to encourage an appreciation for the law and to promote higher education. This year’s topic deals with First Amendment Freedom of Speech issues arising when a student posts suggestive photos of herself on a popular teen networking website, in violation of school policy. All essays must be submitted by 5 p.m., March 9, 2010. Please follow the link to the Essay Contest Question/rules flyer for specific information.

The law firm of Modrall, Sperling, Roehl, Harris & Sisk, PA, sponsors cash awards of $1000 for first place, $500 for second place and $250 for third place. In addition, the first place winner’s classroom receives a $100 award. Winners will receive their awards at the annual Law Day Luncheon on May 5 in Albuquerque.

The essay contest is administered by the State Bar of New Mexico. The purpose of the contest is to encourage an appreciation for the law and to promote higher education.

Past Winners

2009

1st Place: Kayla Jones – Valley Christian Academy, Roswell (teacher Maelisa Rydholm)

As a student, Kayla Jones has been involved in yearbook as the business manager. She has also been involved in her youth group and a lot of church activities. She is on the honor roll and has been selected as the Sertoma student of the month, as well as the Character Counts student of character. She enjoys working for the Kraft/Hunter Law Firm, helping out at the church, and hanging out with her friends. She plans on attending the University of New Mexico and majoring in law with a minor in psychology.

2nd Place: Kendra Poole – Valley High School, Albuquerque (teacher Anne Young)

Kedra Poole Kendra Poole is very involved in school activities, including National Honor Society, Model United Nations, Mock Trial, Student Senate, MESA and the Viking Legend student newspaper. Her interests include creative writing, poetry, traveling, reading, cycling, hiking, and swimming. She graduated from the Greater Albuquerque Chamber of Commerce Youth Leadership Program and is a National English Merit Award Winner. She will be attending George Washington University in Washington DC next fall where she received the Presidential Academic Scholarship and hopes to explore her options before selecting a major.

3rd Place: Sarah Zager – Albuquerque Academy, Albuquerque (teacher Sonia Roth)

Sarah Zager is a senior at Albuquerque Academy. She is a National Merit Finalist who is currently deciding whether to attend the University of Pennsylvania, where she has been awarded a spot in their honors program, or the University of Chicago. She was recently named a recipient of the Gold Key for Writing Portfolio Nonfiction, Personal Essay/Memoir Category, one of only 20 students out of 140,000 entries to receive such an award this year. Last year she had a history paper published in the Concord Review. As a junior, she received Albuquerque Academy's highest academic honor, The Wong Award. Sarah also competes in Irish step dancing at only one level away from the World Championships. She serves as editor-in-chief of our award-winning school newspaper, The Advocate, and placed second in policy debate at the New Mexico State Championships. This year, Sarah also captained the Academy's mock trial team to a fourth place finish at state finals. Most importantly, Sarah is one of the humblest, kindest, and most gracious students the Academy has ever graduated.