Student Essay Contest

Sponsored by the Modrall Sperling Law Firm
2008 Student Essay Contest

 

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