2025 Law Day Art & Essay Competition Winning Entries
The 2025 Law Day theme, “The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One,” recognizes that our civic duties tie us together as one Nation. This year’s theme reminds us that our Constitution bridges our collective differences to bring us together as a united Nation. Here are the winning entries from those submitted by students throughout the county:
Ava Cirton, Williamsport High School
"E Pluribus Unum" literally translates to "out of many one." This concept is an essential part of being an American citizen because the United States of America is a combination of many unique people from different backgrounds who form together to make one unified country. Each American citizen has unique talents and abilities. Our freedom to live and express our different dreams makes America so great. American citizens have the freedom to choose their unique futures and yet we come together as one body.
Just as cake needs its ingredients, so too does America need a combination of citizens from different cultures and backgrounds. From hardworking farmers to dedicated teachers every person plays an important role. If we were all teachers there would be no one to grow the food we need. If we were all farmers there would be no one to educate and make America brighter. The choices and decisions that make us so different help America grow and become stronger as one nation.
Working together, American citizens can do almost anything. From creating the Constitution to building spaceships that can explore the amazing planets, everything we do takes many people to create success. We may have different opinions or different ways of doing things but working together and solving our differences makes the end result so great. As America continues to grow, we will only get better if we work together as one unified body.
Every American citizen plays a part in fanning our great nation. Our different ways of thinking and doing things will continue to make our future better. You need all the pieces of a puzzle to complete the final masterpiece, just as America needs its citizens to be one complete body.
Adalyn Meixel, St John Neumann Regional Academy
Aaron Wright, Jackson Elementary
"Out of many, one." "E pluribus Unum" is mostly seen in the great seal of the United States and the American coin. The beauty of this great nation is that it highlights the unity in diversity. This country is a melting pot of many different cultures.
I have a story to tell. I was born in this great nation and a citizen by birth. However, my parents were born in a different continent full of rich culture, delicious food and very scenic land. I have had the opportunity to visit my grandparents many times. My parents were not born American citizens but are naturalized citizens of America. This country has become a world of blessing to many people. It is founded in Christian values and is a Christian nation which is culturally diverse. Out of many, one is about combining different things to find your one thing out. In this case it is culture.
As an American citizen, it is important to have diversity in our nation because it invites different cultures into this great nation. America has many people of all different cultures. My family and I are different from other people we might know. This also shows how we can have cultures of many types, they all might be different, but in the end we all have something we can unite on. This all ties into the phrase "E Pluribus Unum".
Adeline Koshy, Saint John Neumann Regional Academy
Aubrey Plocinski, Donald E Schick Elementary School
Have you ever heard of the saying E Pluribus Unum? That means out of many, one. I believe in simpler words it means team. We are one nation that comes from many places. We speak different languages. We have different backgrounds and beliefs. But we still need to come together as a team.
This motto is important for American citizens because it reminds us to stick together. We work together at our jobs and our schools. If we did not work together then we would not be very productive. We can also be a team to get rid of hate and racism, while remembering that we are imperfect human beings.
An example of the ways that Americans stuck together as a team was after 9/11 happened. They worked together by donating food to charities. A lot of people also cleaned up the area called ground zero. There was so much cleaning to do that they sacrificed all of their freetime they had. This shows me that people care a lot about working together for the families of those that lost their lives. American citizens also bought so many flags that the stores ran out of them. They flew their flags to show support of their country. There were also a lot of people who enlisted in the military.
In conclusion, I believe that E Pluribus Unum is essential to being an American citizen because it is important to be a team. We should be supportive, learn from our mistakes and take care of each other.
Melanie Pearson, Donald E Schick Elementary School
Connor Rodgers, Loyalsock Middle School
"Out of many, one."
The United States is built by people of many different cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds. Even though we are a diverse country, our government works to keep us unified using the constitution to guide them while also taking into consideration all of the differences in the citizens of our nation. "Out of many, one" is exactly how to describe those efforts. It's about bringing people together as one nation while prioritizing all of their unique qualities.
The most important way that our government ensures that the voices of our citizens are heard is through the electoral process. In the United States we have the privilege of electing our government officials. By voting citizens can make sure that their beliefs, interests and values are represented by the person they elect to lead them. The regular election schedule makes sure that citizens can re-elect or elect new candidates if the person in office is not doing a good job at governing their office. An example of this is the presidential election. It happens every four years and the same president can only serve two terms. Being able to choose our president and elect other government officials is the most important way we can get our voices heard as voters in our nation.
Another way that our government makes sure that the voices of its citizens are heard is by Separation of Powers and Checks and Balances. I think it's important to mention this because this rule makes sure that no branch becomes too powerful, which means one opinion or voice won't rule the nation. The legislative branch, executive branch and judicial branch all have to be involved in the decision-making process, which makes it more likely for more voices to be heard. An example of this is how a law is passed. Congress passes a bill that goes to the president. After that the president can sign it or veto it. If it is vetoed, it will go back to congress and that's one way the executive branch can balance the legislative branch. Congress could then override the veto with a two thirds majority vote of the house and senate, which is then how the legislative branch also balances out the executive branch. It is important to make sure that one branch doesn't become too powerful to ensure that the voice of the people is heard and represented by our elected officials.
The Judiciary System also plays a really important role in making sure our voices are heard. The Judicial Branch, especially the Supreme Court, makes sure that the constitution is used in a way that protects the best interest of United States Citizens especially those who are members of a minority group. Decisions made in the Judicial Branch have made sure that civil rights and voters rights are protected while also making sure that there is no discrimination occurring in the United States when it comes to human rights. One example of a decision made in the Supreme Court was Brown Vs. The Board of Education. This ruling determined that racial segregation in schools was unconstitutional. It protected the minority group. As a "minority" member of society it is important to me that we have court systems that represent people like me and make sure that I have the same rights that every other person in the nation has under the constitution.
The United States operates on the idea that the strength of the nation depends on our ability to use the differences of its citizens to bond together to form a single, unified country. The government ensures that the voices of its diverse citizens are heard and respected through systems and laws like the electoral process, the separation of powers, and the checks and balances system and by making sure we have a court system that upholds the constitution regardless of race, color and creed. When the voices of the citizens are heard despite our differences the government upholds the principle of unity while embracing diversity.
Daiton Thompson, Saint John Neumann Regional Academy
Mercedes Allison, Loyalsock Middle School
E Pluribus Unum
The United States of America is the melting pot of the world. Many immigrants call America home because of the representation of diverse groups. Our representative government, as set by the Constitution, ensures that the voices of diverse citizens are heard. It does this by providing equal representation for small and rural states, just and accessible presidential elections, and allowing voting regardless of gender or race due to the amendments.
In the legislative branch, states with high population density have more representatives in the House of Representatives. This is unfair to the more rural states, so each state has an equal number of Senators. Bicameral legislature allows people who live in rural areas to have an equal voice and representation. Two senators can represent many rural citizens’ voices and opinions with equal power to citizens’ senators in cities.
The way America’s voting system is set up is accessible and fair, which ensures every voice can be heard in the election for the most important government official. Our representative government allows every American citizen to have a say in the presidential election. The electoral college ensures that every vote matters, so every citizen can decide the leader that will represent them all. The polls are open for long hours and have public transportation access so every citizen can get to them. For the presidential election, a write-in option is available. This allows every American to choose who they want to be president, even if their candidate isn’t on the ballot.
Additionally, women's voices are now represented in elections. Due to the 19th Amendment, women's diverse voices are now heard and respected. About 50.5% of American citizens are women (Census 2021). So, the allowance of women's voting can majorly shift all election results. The importance of women's opinions gives a fresh new perspective on the leaders of our country. As established in the Constitution, the amendments keep up with the ever-changing world and ensure that all diverse voices are heard. The Constitution's amendments keep up with the times and promote equality and diversity in voting.
Also, the amendments ensure that all ethnic individuals can vote. The 15th Amendment establishes that all minorities can vote. Since every group of people can vote, everyone's diverse backgrounds are reflected in the representation in our government. The Constitution’s amendments fix how voting was only open to a specific group of white, land-owning, men. This adds diversity into voting and ensures every American citizen's voice is heard and respected.
“E Pluribus Unum” translates to, “out of many, one.” This can be considered the motto of the United States representative government. The use of Senators ensures the diverse voices of rural citizens are heard. Polls are accessible and fair so Americans can express who they want to be president. The amendments promote equality and diversity in voting. In conclusion, our representative government ensures every voice is heard and respected.
Camille Gehr, Loyalsock Middle School
Iris Cresko & Gabrielle Cosentine, Williamsport High School
How does our representative government, as established by the Constitution, ensure that the voices of a diverse citizenry are heard and respected?
“Our ability to reach unity in diversity will be the beauty and the test of our civilization” - Mahatma Gandhi
“E Pluribus Unum,” meaning “out of many, one,” goes beyond a symbolic phrase—it captures the value of unity through diversity in the United States. In today's society, this idea is everywhere, reminding us that a diverse country can still stand together as one nation. As our diversity index continues to rise, the United States becomes composed of numerous demographics. Despite this unique collection of individuals, the United States government still ensures that all voices are recognized. Through the use of the constitution’s structure, constitutional protections and changes, and rising awareness from people, the United States government ensures that all citizens are valued and accounted for—no matter one’s race, religion, background, culture, or beliefs.
Superseding the Articles of Confederation, the United States Constitution aimed to provide the infrastructure for the birth of a new nation. At its foundation, the document outlined two integral principles essential for the development of our country—the systems of checks and balances and federalism. Checks and Balances is a constitutional principle where the legislative, executive, and judicial branches wield the power to limit one another’s actions, eliminating the opportunity for one area to become omnipotent. If Congress were to enact a law that would violate citizens’ rights, the executive or judicial branch could veto or invalidate this legislation. The branches exercise this right through the system of checks and balances. This structure protects individuals’ freedoms and rights, ensuring that all voices are listened to, not just the officials with the most power. As our country continues to develop, this fundamental responsibility held by the branches of government becomes increasingly dominant in ensuring that the American people have a voice.
Elaborating on our government’s structure, the fundamental principle of federalism further secures the American people’s voices. In a system of government where power becomes divided between a central authority and regional or state governments, federalism decentralizes the government, preventing one region from holding too much power. In our country, the federal government maintains certain powers, while states manage their own set of powers. In an article following George Floyd’s death and the Black Lives Matter protests, many depicted federalism as “magnifying the governing voice of the people through governments more local and accountable.” (Federalism: How to Change the World without All the Noise - American Legislative Exchange Council). Because of the federalist approach of our country, individuals can utilize their voice and account for it on a personal, local level. The connection between a community and its local government ensures that their voices are known--creating an atmosphere that encourages awareness. Federalism builds this relationship and gives the American people a direct outlet to influence change.
Further supporting diversity and expression in the ever-changing American society, the U.S. Constitution plays a key role in its ability to adapt and improve over time. The amendment process catalyzes America’s capability to change and thrive, reflecting new understandings of equality and fairness throughout. In 1870, a substantial amendment changed the constitution—the 15th Amendment. Granting African Americans the right to vote, men could now not be in denial of voting rights based on “race, color, or previous condition of servitude.” (National Archives). Fifty years later, the 19th Amendment extended the right to vote to women, ending the women’s suffrage movement. Again, fifty-one years later, the 26th Amendment lowered the voting age to 18, ultimately justifying the government’s ability to draft young individuals into the Vietnam War. Allowing American citizens to vote and lowering the voting age was a response to the people. The government listens to its citizens by amending the foundation of our country, highlighting our government’s commitment to American individuals. Through the U.S. Constitution's ability to adjust to America’s contemporary society, the voices of the people—especially men, women, and minorities—are consistently heard and respected.
As people become engaged and empowered within their communities, they utilize the tools around them to foster change. For example, social media has become exceptionally influential and prevalent in everyday life, allowing individuals to express themselves and gain access to opportunities and organizations. Specific movements like Black Lives Matter and March for Our Lives have demonstrated how regular people, especially young individuals and minorities, can bring awareness to national issues. Platforms including X (formerly known as Twitter), Instagram, and Facebook allow community members to contact local officials, spread awareness, and bring growth in real time. While the U.S. Constitution does not explicitly mention social media, these platforms embody the ideals of the First Amendment—freedom of speech, assembly, and the right to petition the government. They demonstrate how constitutional principles can evolve and take new forms in today’s modern, connected society.
Unity does not mean uniform. “E Pluribus Unum,” reflects strength through diversity, not sameness. The framework built by the United States Constitution, the flexibility of its amendments, and its focus on the American people grants citizens the ability to have a voice in their country. While challenges still exist, the U.S. government’s structure and adaptability ensure that more voices are heard, especially those historically left out. Representation isn’t just a promise—it’s the power of democracy in action. That’s not just unity. That’s the United States. It’s a nation built on differences, bonded by principles. And in those principles, we find true strength.
Adam Ghayyada, Loyalsock High School
Ethan D’Souza, Loyalsock Middle School
Caroline & Johanna Pelly, Williamsport High School
