First Amendment Cartoon Contest Recognized on Law Day

May 1, 2014

Six Winners of the 5th Annual Nationwide Bill of Rights—First Amendment Cartoon Contest

Honorable mentions presented to 19 students

SAN FRANCISCO—The Administrative Office of the Courts, in partnership with the Constitutional Rights Foundation and the California State PTA, is pleased to announce the winners of the fifth annual First Amendment Cartoon Contest today. The theme of this year’s contest is “The right to freedom of expression in school.”

Students were invited to submit a cartoon illustrating one or more of the principles of free speech and symbolic expression. Schools were encouraged to focus on the landmark case of Tinker v. Des Moines, where age appropriate, as a means to further explore these concepts. Select winners will have the opportunity to speak live online with Mary Beth Tinker, one of the original plaintiffs in the Tinker v. Des Moines case.

The six first-prize recipients are from California and Arizona. Nineteen finalists from California, Colorado, Florida, Iowa, Missouri, Ohio and Washington, receive honorable mention. The first-prize artwork may be viewed at www.courtsed.org.

2014 Winners:

Gabriel H.—Grandview Elementary School, Lake Arrowhead, CA
Valeire H.—Sunland Elementary, Sunland, CA
Rachel L.—Horace Mann School, Beverly Hills, CA
Beatrice H.—Stanley Middle School, Lafayette, CA
Alaura M.—Walden Grove High School, Sahuarita, AZ
Taylan D.—Rancho Verde High School, Moreno Valley, CA

See complete list of winners and honorable mentions.

The First Amendment Cartoon Contest was announced on Bill of Rights Day on Dec 15, and was opened to elementary, middle, and high school students nationally. Criteria for judging are based on students’ understanding of the First Amendment, creativity, and artistic merit.

Organizers of the contest hope to increase student understanding of the Bill of Rights and the United States Constitution as well as to help educate youth about the role of the judicial branch and their role as future jurors.

Law Day is a national day to celebrate the rule of law and its contributions to the freedoms Americans enjoy as well as the essential role informed citizens play in a democracy. To see other law-related education programs, go to www.courts.ca.gov/programs-lawrelated.htm.