Carver HS and Marcella Intermediate School Students Win Top Honors in Houston Bar Association’s Law Day Contest
Through the Arts: Students capture our freedoms and rights protected by the U.S. Constitution.
The 2017 winning photograph by Dakota Barnett.
[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]D[/dropcap]akota Barnett, Mónica Coronado, Jazmín Juárez and Alisson Magaña’s works show the power of their civic voices. They won the Houston Bar Association’s 2017 Law Day 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.
In recognition of Law Day, the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Houston Bar Association 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.
Photography Winners
1st Place — Dakota Barnett @ Carver HS
2nd Place — Mónica Coronado @ Carver HS
3rd Place — Jazmín Juárez @ Carver HS
Poster Winner in 3rd-5th Grade Division
2nd Place — Alisson Magaña @ Marcella Intermediate School
Winning photograph by Mónica Coronado.
This year’s theme is “The 14th Amendment: Transforming American Democracy.” Students explored the many ways that the Fourteenth Amendment has reshaped American law and society. Through its Citizenship, Due Process and Equal Protection clauses, this transformative amendment advanced the rights of all Americans. It also played a pivotal role in extending the reach of the Bill of Rights to the states. Ratified during Reconstruction a century and a half ago, the Fourteenth Amendment serves as the cornerstone of landmark civil rights legislation, the foundation for numerous federal court decisions protecting fundamental rights, and a source of inspiration for all those who advocate for equal justice under law. Students’ work had to capture the specified topic.
The contest is open to all school districts in the Houston area.
Winning photograph by Jazmín Juárez.
2017 Topic: Why is it important that all people receive equal protection of the law?
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 in the photography contest, Dakota will receive a $200 prize. Mónica took home second place and received a $100 prize. Third place went to Jazmín who earned a $50 prize. Their digital art/photography teacher is Matthew Kirkpatrick.
Dakota now advances to the state competition where he will represent Houston.
Alisson Magaña poses with her winning poster.
This is not the first time an Aldine ISD wins the photography contest. Carver HS student Moises Castañeda won first place in 2016. 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 will be on display in downtown Houston (dates and locations TBA).
Dr. Michaelann Kelley praises the students’ work. Kelley is program director of fine arts. Kelley also lauded the Houston Bar Association for using the arts to engage students. According to Kelley, the contest allows talented young artists to express cultural narratives and create identity. They do this through imagery that inspires emotions.
The 2016 winning photograph by Moises Castañeda.
“I thank the Houston Bar Association for giving area students this opportunity,” said Kelley. “It’s wonderful to see students’ creative talent. And I am so proud of all the students that took part. They did a great job of capturing the ideas and concepts of a major topic such as how the 14th Amendment grants all citizens, no matter race or ethnicity, the equal protection of the law.
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 visual arts to explore the major ideas that underpin the Constitution.”
The HBA will recognize the winners at the Young Lawyers Association Law Day Luncheon. The event is set for April 27 at Marriott Marquis Houston (1777 Walker Street, Houston 77010) from 11:30 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Congratulations!
Carver High School made [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]U.S. News & World Report‘s Best High Schools in the U.S. rankings. [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]Carver, a magnet school, focuses on engineering, applied technology and the arts.
About the Author: Leticia Fehling
