2024 MCBA Law Day Press Release

The Mercer County Bar Association held its annual Law Day Essay Contest on May 2, 2024 in the Mercer County Common Pleas Court. Mercer County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Matthew L. Gilmore, Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew K. Fox, and Magistrate Richard M. Delzeith, Mercer County Bar Association President, presided over the ceremony.

The 2024 Law Day theme “Voices of Democracy” recognizes that in democracies, the people rule. For nearly 250 years, Americans have expressed their political views and wishes by speaking their minds and voting in elections. In 2024, the United States will hold its 60th presidential election, and Americans will address fundamental questions about democracy and the rule of law.

The Voices of Democracy Law Day theme encourages Americans to participate in the 2024 elections by deepening their understanding of the electoral process; discussing issues in honest and civil ways; turning out to vote; and, finally, helping to move the country forward after free and fair elections. In this way, Americans ensure that our government remains responsive to the wishes of the people.

For this year’s essay contest, the students had 3 topics to choose from:

1. The electoral college is a critical part of the presidential election process in the United States. Over the years, there have been calls to eliminate the electoral college and replace it with a system where presidential elections are decided by the national popular vote. Explain whether you think the electoral college is a fair and effective election process.

2. Reflect on the concept of free speech in a democracy. Are there limits to what can be said, and if so, what are they? How should society balance free expression with the need for civility and respect?

3. What does that phrase, “a more perfect Union,” mean to you? What do you think it has meant to our nation?

There were 30 essays submitted for consideration from almost every school district in Mercer County. Eligible students were from the 8^th grade.

This year’s winners received cash prizes of $100 for 3^rd place, $200 for 2^nd place, and $300 for 1^st place. Also, the 1^st place winner will also receive a “One Day Job Shadow” with an elected official of his/her choosing. All of the winners also received several Law Day keepsakes and a certificate of achievement.

This year's winners came from Ft. Recovery, Coldwater, and Marion Local schools.

The Third Place Winner is Deanna Dirksen from Marion Local Schools.

Deanna chose the topic of Free Speech

Deanna wrote in her essay:

“freedom of speech gives Americans the opportunity to offer their ideas, thoughts, and opinions, but it has to have boundaries to allow a more peaceful nation. One way the freedom of speech allows Americans to express themselves is being able to contact the government to give their insights on how to solve problems regardless of how big or small that problem is.”

The Second Place Winner isLanna Zahn from Coldwater Schools.

Lanna chose the topic of whether the electoral college is a fair and effective election process.

Lanna wrote in her essay:

The nation is so diverse that if it was based on popular vote the president would only be decided by big cities, so people in smaller rural areas vote would be outshadowed by people who live in the bigger more populated places. The president would only be focusing on the bigger city's wants rather than looking at the smaller towns and communities. The electoral college gives smaller states a voice in the decisions and will not be outshined by the bigger states.

The First Place Winner is Maddie Weigel from Ft. Recovery Schools.

Maddie chose the topic of: What does the phrase “a more perfect Union” mean to you and our nation.

Maddie wrote in her essay:

In order to secure the blessings of liberty to ourselves and our posterity we must protect the right to be free. Freedom is supposed to last as a permanent establishment in our country, that is something that can never be broken. This has meant Leaps and bounds to our nation as no matter what has happened or been thrown our way, we have still been given free choice. As is our God given right; it would be both unjust and unconstitutional to remove our freedom. “A more perfect Union” may be achieved if our citizens are given the freedom to collaborate and work together as one to strengthen our nation’s foundation.

Ft. Recovery Middle School Principal Holly Gann, Ft. Recovery 8^th grade teacher Renee Huelsman, and Marion Local 8^th grade teacher Laura Wolters were in attendance in support of their students.

Following the ceremony, the Mercer County Bar Association and local elected officials (Commissioner Jerry Laffin, Recorder Julie Peel, and Clerk of Courts Calvin Freeman were in attendance) were able to take a picture together.

Group Picture:

1^st Row: Magistrate Richard M. Delzeith, Judge Matthew L. Gilmore, Madelyn Weigel, Deanna Dirksen, Lanna Zahn, Judge Matthew K. Fox, Erin Abels

2^nd Row: Anthony Miller, Rebecca King-Newman, Donna Post, Shannon Kaiser, George Moore, Judge Jeffrey R. Ingraham, Lou Schiavone

3^rd Row: Daniel Gudorf, Commissioner Jerry Laffin, Recorder Julie Peel, Clerk of Courts Calvin Freeman, Matthew Wuebker, Chelsea Kemper