Sandy Springs Law Day Essay Contest Winners Announced

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SANDY SPRINGS, GA -- The city of Sandy Springs has announced the winners of its annual essay contest celebrating Law Day.

The contest, co-sponsored by the city's Municipal Court and the Sandy Springs Bar Association, required students follow the theme, "Miranda: More than Words."

This year’s winners include:

• First prize – Ellie Whelan, Holy Spirit Preparatory School
• Second prize –Sarah Verlander, Holy Spirit Preparatory School
• Third prize – Neha Devineni, Ridgeview Charter Middle School

The first place winner will receive $100; the second place winner will receive $75; and the third place winner will win $50. Winners were recognized at the Sandy Springs City Council's May 3 meeting.

Traditionally, Law Day is held on May 1 of each year to celebrate the role of law in our society.

This year’s Law Day theme marks the 50th anniversary of one of the nation’s best-known U.S. Supreme Court case, Miranda v. Arizona.

The Miranda Warning, which was developed in response to this landmark ruling, apprises suspects being interrogated by police of their right to remain silent and their right to legal representation.

This year’s theme gave students an opportunity to explore our criminal justice system and the importance of procedural fairness and equal justice under the law.

Law Day is an annual commemoration first held in 1957 when American Bar Association President Charles Rhynes envisioned a special national day to mark our nation’s commitment to the rule of law. The following year, President Dwight D. Eisenhower issued the first Law Day Proclamation. Law Day was made official in 1961 when Congress issued a joint resolution designating May 1 as the official date for celebrating Law Day.

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Photo: Pictured with Mayor Rusty Paul (left to right) are the writers who scored honors: First prize – Ellie Whelan, Holy Spirit Preparatory School and third prize – Neha Devineni, Ridgeview Charter Middle School, along with Sandy Springs Municipal Court Judge Marcia Ernst. The second place prize winner is Sarah Verlander, Holy Spirit Preparatory School. Credit: city of Sandy Springs