Published On: April 6th, 2016By Leticia Fehling

Carver High School Students Win Top Honors in HBA’s Law Day Photography Contest

Through the Lens: Students capture our freedoms and rights protected by the U.S. Constitution.

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Winning photograph by Moises Castañeda.

[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]S[/dropcap]tudents Nancy García and Moises Castañeda have something to celebrate. They won the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Houston Bar Association’s 2016 Law Day Photography Contest.

People across the country celebrate Law Day on May 1. Its purpose is to celebrate and appreciate the liberties Americans have. Law Day also serves to remind everyone how the rule of law protects our freedoms and our system of justice.

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Winning photograph by Nancy García.

In recognition of Law Day, the Houston Bar Association [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]sponsors different contests each year. Kids and teens can compete several contests including poster and essay. Students in ninth through 12th grade are eligible to compete in the photography contest.

Winners

1st Place — Moises Castañeda
2nd Place — Nancy García

This year’s theme is “Miranda: More Than Words.” Students had to explore the impact of Miranda versus Arizona. The Supreme Court case guarantees protections afforded to all by the U.S. Constitution. Students’ work had to capture the specified topic.

The contest is open to all school districts in the Houston area.

2016 Topic: Why should all people be treated fairly, even if they are suspected of wrongdoing?

Entries had to be students’ original work. Photographs had to also show technical knowledge of good composition, exposure and lighting.

As the first place winner, Moises will receive a $200 prize. His art teacher Matthew Kirkpatrick at Carver High School also wins. He will receive $100. Nancy tied for second place with a student from Katy ISD. She won a $100 prize. Third place went to a student in Cy Fair ISD. Two Galena Park ISD students won first and second place in the Special Needs Photography Contest.

Moises now advances to the state competition where he will represent Houston.

This is not the first time an Aldine ISD wins the contest. [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Miguel Parra from Victory Early College High School won first place in 2015.

Community members can view all the Carver HS students’ work. The entries are currently on display in Hall 100 at the campus. Moises and Nancy’s winning pieces will travel downtown later this month. They will be on display at a Houston courthouse April 25-May 6.

Dr. Michaelann Kelley praises the students’ work. Kelley is program director of fine arts.

“I thank the Houston Bar Association for giving area students this opportunity,” said Kelley. “It is wonderful to see students’ creative talent. And I am so proud of Moises, Nancy and all the students that took part. They worked hard to portray instances of both equal rights and inequality. I think they did a great job of capturing the ideas and concepts of a major topic. This was also a great way to get students to talk about the U.S. Constitution. They reflect on the rights protected by it. The contest uses photography to explore the major ideas that underpin the Constitution.”

The HBA will recognize Moises and his teacher at the Young Lawyers Association Law Day Luncheon. The event is set for later this spring. The HBA will honor Moises at the event for his achievement.