This year the American Bar Association chose “No Courts, No Justice, No Freedom” as the 2012 Law Day theme.  It was selected to highlight the importance of our courts and the serious funding shortages they face, which can endanger the court’s ability to provide access to justice for all. 

Cochise County encouraged students to think about this topic and share their own ideas in their annual Law Day essay and art contests.  Students, grades 6^th – 12^th, were asked to write their thoughts on “What Would Our Society Look Like Without Fair and Impartial Courts?”  The topic for the art contest, “Picture Our Society Without Lady Justice”, was open to students Kindergarten - 12^th grade.

Five students from Benson Schools were amongst the winners.  Essay contest winners: 1^st Place (Middle School) - Isabelle Smalley, 8^th grade; 1^st Place (High School) – Shelby Brittain, 11^th grade; 2^nd Place (High School) – Allison Rogers, 11^th Grade.  Art contest winners: 1^st Place (K-5) – Bailey Griffith, 2^nd grade; 2^nd Place (K-5) – Marley Rose Nixon, 2^nd grade.

The essays were judged in two separate categories: 6^th – 8^th grade students and 9^th – 12^th grade students. The graphic arts/photography contest was divided into three groups: Kindergarten -5^th grade, 6^th – 8^th grade and 9^th – 12^th grade.  First and second place winners were awarded in each category.

Contest winners were invited to read their essay and comment on their artwork on the steps of the Cochise County Courthouse in Bisbee during Cochise County’s Law Day Ceremony, May 1^st starting at 10:00 a.m.