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  • The Essay Contest is sponsored each year. We are proud to announce this years winners.

 

Student Essay Contest

Sponsored by the Modrall Sperling Law Firm
2008 Student Essay Contest

 

LukeHolman
ChrisEllefson
Jamie Lee Mathis

1st Place - $1,000
Luke Holmen
Valley High School, Albuquerque
Teacher: Anne C. Young
($100 classroom prize)
Essay

2nd Place - $500
Chris Ellefson
Gallup Catholic High School, Gallup
Teacher: Patrick Thomas Mason

Essay

3rd Place - $250
Jamie Lee Mathis
West Las Vegas High School,
Las Vegas
Teacher: Carmen Baca
Essay

The James T. Sperling High School Essay Contest, offered by the State Bar of New Mexico, has been sponsored by the Modrall Sperling Roehl Harris & Sisk law firm since 1997. This year’s topic was “The Lost Payload,” which focused on the constitutional rights of students as those rights affect, or are affected by, zero tolerance policies.

The essay contest, begun in 1991, is administered by the Public Legal Education Committee (PLEC) of the State Bar of New Mexico. The purpose of the contest is to encourage an appreciation for the law and to promote higher education.

The essays were judged by PLEC committee members: Cristen Conley, Beth Collard and Audrey McKee, Judge Gene Franchini and Elizabeth Vencill. Final judging was done by Judge John Pope (13th Judicial District Court), Judge Freddie Romero (5th Judicial District Court), and Judge Jerry Valentine (3rd Judicial District Court.)

Past Winners


2007

First Place: Mark Macaron II, Evangel Christian Academy, Albuquerque
Second Place: Vera Jo Bustos, West Las Vegas High School, Las Vegas
Third Place: Daniel Aguilar, Capital High School, Santa Fe

2006

First Place: Daniel Aguilar, Capital High School, Santa Fe
Second Place: Lowell Karr, Albuquerque Academy
Third Place: Marissa Ham, Hot Springs High School, Truth or Consequences

2005

First Place: Darshan Patel, Albuquerque Academy
Second Place: Kristian Macaron, Evangel Christian Academy, Albuquerque
Third Place: Jessica Carlisle, Aztec High School, Aztec