Aldine ISD Students Win Top Honors in Houston Bar Association’s 2020 Law Day Contest

Asha Webster will advance to the state competition, where she will represent the Houston area.

Asha Webster’s artwork, “Into the Light,” took first place in the HBA photography contest (grades 9-12).

High school students Asha Webster, Fabiola Hernández, and Josue Leija took first, second, and third place in their category. The students’ works show the power of their civic voices. They won the Houston Bar Association’s (HBA) 2020 Law Day Contest.

After winning first place, Asha now advances to the state competition where she will represent Houston.

“Silenced No Longer” by Fabiola Hernández

Law Day is a national celebration of the rule of law in our society. It has been sponsored and promoted by the American Bar Association since 1961 when President Dwight Eisenhower designated it a national holiday. The HBA joins local and state bar associations nationwide in sponsoring activities surrounding May 1. The association’s website states that “while the HBA calls its celebration ‘Law Week,’ it encompasses much more.

The Houston Bar Association observes Law Day each year with contests — essay, poster, and photography — for local students in grades K-12.

“Waiting to Vote” by Josué Leija

This year’s theme is “Your Vote • Your Voice • Our Democracy: The 19th Amendment at 100.” Entries have to be students’ original work.

Dr. Michaelann Kelley is the director of visual arts in Aldine ISD. Kelley lauds the Houston Bar Association for using the visual arts to engage students. Since the start of the contest, Aldine ISD students have placed and advanced to the state level. In 2018, a student from Carver HS won the state event.

“The contest allows our talented young artists to express themselves as it relates to the theme. They do this through imagery that inspires emotions. It’s a lot harder than it sounds,” Kelley said. ” I am so proud of the students. I am also proud of our art teachers who help develop students’ creativity and self-expression as well as hone their skills.” 

Below are all the winners and students that received an honorable mention from Aldine ISD.

Photography Contest (Grades 9-12)

First Place: Asha Webster
Artwork Title: Into the Light
Campus: Carver High School for Engineering, Applied Technology, and the Arts

Second Place: Fabiola Hernández
Artwork Title: Silenced No Longer
Campus: Carver High School for Engineering, Applied Technology, and the Arts

Third Place: Josué Leija
Artwork Title: Waiting to Vote
Campus: Blanson Career and Technology High School

Honorable Mention: JaQuan Allen
Artwork Title: The Voice of My Hero
Campus: Carver High School for Engineering, Applied Technology, and the Arts

Poster Contest (Grades 3-5)

Honorable Mention: Liliana Bejume
Campus: Carter Academy

Poster Contest (Grades 6-8)

Honorable Mention: Sannia Bell
Campus: Houston Academy

For a complete list of the winners, visit the HBA Law Day website.