Winners of 2020 Student Essay Contest

The Role of Civics Education in Protecting the Rule of Law

Over the past few decades, our nation has undergone a significant decline in the provision of civics education, and the effects are troubling. Keeping in mind the state of civics education in our country today:

Is the teaching of civics valuable to maintaining American democracy?

Why is the rule of law important to American democracy, and what role does the teaching of civics have in protecting the rule of law?

How can civics education be improved to better "enlighten our citizenry"?

The Sixth Circuit 2020 Student Essay Contest, which ran from March 24, 2020 to May 31, 2020, was open to then current junior and seniors in Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, and Tennessee. The contest is now closed. The Sixth Circuit received excellent essays from students in all four states.

2020 Winning Entries: The Sixth Circuit Civics and Outreach Committee and the judges of the Sixth Circuit are pleased to announce the winners of the inaugural Sixth Circuit 2020 Student Essay Contest. Read the 2020 winning essays.

First Place - $2,000 Award: Meredith Perkins, a senior at Simon Kenton High School, Independence, Kentucky. Read the essays.

Second Place - $1,500 Award: Alaina Delsignore, a senior at Sycamore High School, Cincinnati, Ohio. Read the essays.

Third Place - $1,000 Award: Aden Barton, a freshman at Harvard (recent graduate from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee). Read the essays.

Questions? Contact the Office of the Circuit Executive at (513) 564-7200 or civics_contest@ca6.uscourts.gov.