Read some of the winning essays from the 2000 Lycoming County Law Day Essay Contest:

Fifth Amendment

The fifth amendment states that there should be rights to the accused.  I think that the fifth amendment is the most important because I think everyone deserves a fair trial even if they are proven guilty.  Also, they might have been wrongly accused and that would have been unjustified for them to be punished for what they didn't do.  Therefore, I think the fifth amendment is the most important amendment in the Bill of Rights.

Mitch Anjeski, Montgomery Middle School

 Fifth Amendment

I have been studying about the Bill of Rights.  I think that the best Amendment is the first.  It guarantees us freedom of Religion, Speech, Press, Assembly and Petition.   I believe this Amendment is the best because, it gives people the right to vote, pray and believe in whoever or whatever we choose.  This Amendment also gives you the right to speak to anyone you want.  William Penn made this his first rule, that is why I believe it is most important.

Jacob Fagnano, Round Hills Elementary School

Government Facing Violence in Schools

The increase of violence in schools, is a challenge that is being confronted by the government, now it is time for the families of these kids to get more involved in it. Schools should be a safe place, where everybody could feel free of any physical harm; recently, it has become a place where violence has gone out of control.

There have been important steps toward the solution of it, such as: the mandatory use of plastic bags, so it can be seen what is inside of these bags. Rules like this one can help to get more control of the objects students bring into school, but absolute control of it cannot be reach, unless schools security systems are turned into State jails, and of course that is not the point.

Families have to get involved in this. Schools should offer educational talks at the beginning of the school year, encouraging and explaining different ways by which parents can be more aware of their children's activities and involvement. Parents must be remembered that the security of their children in school starts at home, and require the responsible cooperation of every family in the community.

These educational meetings to parents should be done every three months, and should be mandatory, that is in order for a child to go to school, his/her parent should attend this meetings.

The bottom line of this, is that the government should educate parents so they can education their children how to live in society.

Bernardo Urdaneta, Bishop Neumann High School

First Amendment

      The first amendment guarantees every citizen of the United States a voice in the running of our country, as our fore fathers had intended.  Without it, we could not express our opinions, hold meetings, print materials, or even choose our religious faith without the fear of persecution. 

     This amendment was created first because it represents the backbone of our great country.  Without it our society would be like a big bowl of Jell-O!

Kyle Wagner, Ashkar Elementary School

Violence in schools

     The legal system should address the problem of violence in schools by making the consequences greater for the violence that takes place. They should also try harder to have the consequences be carried out closer to the time that the violence occurs. In some cases the punishments for crimes don't take place until long after the violence actually occurs, therefore causing the punishment to lose its meaning. Another thing that might make violence occur less often is if students are helped with preventing themselves from being in situations that could cause them to act violently. Even though putting harder restrictions on things that go on in schools would be hard for me and other students to adjust to, it would help make things safer for everyone. My final idea for preventing violence in schools is to somehow improve the family life of some of the kids in our schools. I believe the kind of families kids come from plays a big part in the way kids handle difficult situations. Although these ideas cannot completely solve this problem, I do think they could be a great help in making our schools safer. 

Nicole Vollman, Lycoming Valley Middle School