The Lower Hudson Valley Chapter held its annual Bill of Rights Essay Contest. This year’s essay topic asked students to explore whether a public school can discipline students for ideas expressed in off-campus publications.

The theme of our annual Bill of Rights essay contest is based on a scenario created especially for the contest by Pace Law School Professor Ralph Stein, a member of our Chapter Board.

Students were asked to react to and analyze the constitutional implications of a case in which a high school student, writing in a personal newsletter distributed via e-mail at home, criticizes her school’s principal and is suspended as a result.

The chapter received more than 140 essay entries, a record number.

A student from Blind Brook High School in Rye Brook, won the grand prize of $300, and a student from Clarkstown South High School in West Nyack, won the $200 second prize.

Students from Nellie A. Thornton High School in Mt. Vernon, Clarkstown North High School in New City, and Blind Brook won honorable mentions, which were worth $100.

You can read the winning essays here:

• First Prize: Ashley Mango (PDF)
• Second Prize: Emily Bookman (PDF)
  
  

Chapter director Linda Berns presents certificate to Grand Prize Winner, Ashley Mango

Chapter director Linda Berns presents certificate to Honorable Mention Winner for Nellie A. Thornton HS, Brittney McNab