Constitutional Law Essay Contest & Program

Discussing the law in colonial times was always spirited!

Members of theDelaware County Bar Association and the Colonial Pennsylvania Plantationare hosting a Constitutional Law Program entitled"Is the Constitution Still Alive"topromote discussionand interest in the United States Constitution. The Program is scheduled for Friday, January 8, 2016 at the Delaware County Bar Association Building (Front and Lemon Streets, Media) from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

The Program will begin with a panel of prominent persons, including judges, law professors and lawyers, who will discuss the most important cases decided by the Supreme Court over the course of U.S. historyinvolving the Constitution.

Following the panel discussion, the Plantation personnel, dressed in period costumes, will reenact a Town Hall Meeting that might have taken place in colonial times. Refreshments will be served, including food and drink of the colonial period, as well as "modern" treats.

We are asking local students in grade 5 to 12 to participate in this celebration of our Constitution by submitting an essay of 500 words or less on the following topic:

Grade 5 and 6 - Twenty seven amendments have been added to the Constitution of the United States. Which amendment do you think is the most important one and why?

Grade 7 and 8 - As you are aware, our United States Constitution provides three co-equal branches of government: Legislative, Executive, and Judicial. Which branch of government do you feel is the most important and why?

Grades 9 to 12 - The United States Supreme Court is the highest court in the land- the court of last resort. Should the court interpret the words of the constitution or change them? Why?

The essays will be judged by local law school professors and the top three winners from each category will be asked to read their essay at the Program on January 8, 2016. Winners will receive a United States savings bond for use toward their college education costs.