SALT LAKE CITY - Judge Memorial Catholic High School juniors Patrick Murnin and Jeff Scott were the first- and second-place recipients, respectively of the annual Law Day Essay contest. There were awarded their prizes at the Law Day luncheon at the Little America Hotel April 30.
"Each year the Utah Minority Board Association sponsors the Law Day Essay Contest open to Utah high school seniors and juniors," said Rick Bartman, Judge Memorial principal. "Students are asked to write a three- to five-page essay related to the theme, which this year was "Law in the 21st Century: Enduring Traditions, Emerging Challenge."
Murnin's first-place essay topic was "America, Land of the Free," for which he received $250. Scott's second-place essay was "Law in the 21st Century," and he received $150.
"To have two of the three awards go to Judge Memorial out of all of the high schools that participated is exciting, not only in rewarding the kids for their effort, but also the recognition the school gets and the recognition the teachers get," said Bartman. "Really, this boils down to the excellence in the classrooms that is attributable to Pam Oles, Murnin's English teacher; and Elaine Peterson, Scott's English teacher."
Murnin said his World History and English classes helped him focus on a governmental view of the 19th and 20th centuries and the irregularities of the past and present. "I noticed a lot was focused on immigration and racism in a way," said Murnin. "I looked at who we were targeting. I looked at the new Arizona immigration law, and those kinds of things. The government in the 21st century seems kind of bigoted or prevalent more toward the white society of America rather than all the other races living in America today."
Murnin said the contest made him think about discrimination and what is published in newspapers.
Scott said he concentrated on the problems America faces today when he thought about the theme. He thought about how lawmakers are trying to meet the challenges in making laws to help the county, but at the same time trying to stick to the Constitutional rights of American citizens.
"One of the major issues that came to mind was airport security and how people are beginning to think this could invade our right to privacy," said Scott. "The new machines can essentially look completely through our clothes. I took the stance that this is in our best interest to protect the country and to protect major landmarks and people on planes."
Scott said the contest was a learning experience because it helped him actively think about what our lawmakers are doing, what they may have in mind and what the fact they trying to keep traditions around since the beginning of our country. "It gave me more respect for the lawmaker's job and insight into what they do."
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