One hundred years ago, the Supreme Court’s decision in Meyer v. Nebraska declared that a state law prohibiting teachers from teaching grade school children any language other than English violated the Fourteenth Amendment’s Due
Process Clause. In 1968, the Supreme Court declared in Epperson v. Arkansas that a state law forbidding the teaching of evolution in public schools, colleges, and universities violated the First Amendment.
In light of Meyer and later cases, may a state, consistent with the protections afforded by the First and Fourteenth Amendments, prohibit the teaching of certain subjects?
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit is pleased to announce the winners of its 2023 High School Essay Contest.
First Place--$2,000 Award: Jackson Hamilton, a rising senior at Orange County High School, Orange, Virginia.
Read the First Place Essay
Second Place--$1,500 Award: Carson Gilmore, a recent graduate of Blacksburg High School, Blacksburg, Virginia.
Read the Second Place Essay
Third Place--$1,000 Award: Ari Cerja, a recent graduate of First Colonial High School, Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Read the Third Place Essay
The contest, which ran from February 13, 2023, to May 31, 2023, was open to current 9th through 12th graders in Maryland, Virginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and South Carolina. The court received excellent essays from students in all five states.
Students were invited to consider and share their thoughts on the question: "In light of Meyer and later cases, may a state, consistent with the protections afforded by the First and Fourteenth Amendments, prohibit the teaching of certain subjects?"
The essays will be read and awards presented at the Constitution Day program scheduled for September 21, 2023, at 3:00 p.m. at the Lewis F. Powell, Jr. U.S. Courthouse in Richmond, Virginia.
The court extends its appreciation to its distinguished panel of judges for their work in reviewing the essays and selecting the top three submissions:
- Janice Baker, Legal Writing Instructor; Director, Konduros Leadership Development Program, University of South Carolina School of Law, Columbia, South Carolina.
- Adrin Leak, Teacher, Capital Heights, Maryland.
- Alexandra Villarreal O’Rourke, Attorney, Charlotte, North Carolina.
- Danielle Wingfield, Assistant Professor of Law, University of Richmond School of Law.
- Gabriele Wohl, Attorney, Charleston, West Virginia.
For more information about the contest, visit Courts4Civics.