In commemoration of Law Day, the Courts, Community and Rule of Law Committee of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals hosted an essay contest for 5th and 6th grade students within the Third Circuit, which is comprised of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware and the U.S. Virgin Islands. The contest was spearheaded locally by the District Court of the Virgin Islands.
The Third Circuit Committee and each district within the circuit partnered with bar associations, civic organizations and educational institutions across the geographical reach of the Third Circuit to promote and oversee the essay contest. Fifth and sixth-grade classes were invited to submit an essay entitled, “Why is the Right to a Jury Trial Important?”
Five schools participated in the St. Croix Division: Alfredo Andrews Elementary School, Church of God Holiness Academy, Good Hope Country Day School – Advisory B, Good Hope Country Day School – Advisory G, St. Croix Christian Academy, and three schools participated in the St. Thomas/St. John Division: All Saints Cathedral School, Joseph A. Gomez Elementary School and Julius E. Sprauve School. The essays submitted were evaluated by the district court judges for focus, content development, organization and style.
On May 9, the District Court of the Virgin Islands held a public ceremony, simultaneously, at the Almeric L. Christian Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, and the Ron de Lugo Federal Building and U.S. Courthouse on St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands, where students from each participating school presented their respective class essays.
The Honorable Robert A. Molloy, the chief judge, announced the following winners: The first-place winner was Crystal Archibald’s 6th-grade class at the Church of God Holiness Academy; the second-place winner was Dahlia Knowles’ 5th and 6th grade Gifted and Talented class at the Alfredo Andrews Elementary School; and the third-place winner was Laurie Bohlke and Maureen Gwilliam’s 6th-grade class at the Good Hope Country Day School. All essay submissions were outstanding and reflected the great amount of time, thought and effort that students and teachers dedicated to this contest.
The District Court of the Virgin Islands extends sincere thanks to the participating students and teachers; the Courts, Community and Rule of Law Committee of the Third Circuit Court of Appeals; the Courts and Community Committee of the District Court of the Virgin Islands; and participating lawyers from the legal community
