Nov. 1 deadline for ISBA Sesquicentennial Celebration High School Essay Contest

The Iowa State Bar Association and Foundation sponsored Sesquicentennial Celebration Essay Contest deadline is coming up on Nov. 1.

The contest is sponsored by the Iowa State Bar Foundation (ISBF) on behalf of The Iowa State Bar Association (ISBA) in recognition of its 150th year. The essay contest is designed to give high school students in Iowa an opportunity to express creative ideas and concepts, conduct research, and think critically about the importance of the role of law in their personal lives, communities, and state.

All students in Iowa enrolled in grades 9-12 in public, private, or homeschool are free to select any law-related person, place, event, or document identified within the 150-year history of the ISBA. Examples include:

- Structure of Iowa's court system

- Local attorney or law firm

- History of your county courthouse

- Significant Iowa Supreme Court decisions

- Role of law in your personal development

- Vision for the role of law in Iowa's future

The ISBF will provide two cash awards to high school students in each of Iowa's 14 judicial districts. The winners will be selected by a panel of judges chosen by the ISBA. All essays will be judged blind within their respective districts. Criteria for judging the essays includes quality of the written essay. Accuracy of the facts, demonstrated mastery of the topic, effective communication of concepts, and originality are all important. In each district, first prize is $1,000 and second prize is $500.

Essays must be original and should be between 1,000 and 1,500 words in length. Essay submissions must be received by Friday, Nov. 1 at 4 p.m. to be eligible. Please visit www.iowabar.org/essay for more details.

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