POLK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION & ARAG® LAW DAY COMMITTEE
2016 LAW DAY STUDENT COMPETITION
Dear Educator:
The Polk County Bar Association (PCBA) and ARAG are proud to sponsor educational activities for your
students in honor of national Law Day. Our annual Law Day competition gives your students a chance to
showcase their creative talents, learn about important issues relating to the law, and have the opportunity
to win prizes! This year’s competition will include visual arts, music and performing arts, essay, and poetry
categories for sixth through twelfth grade students in Polk County. You will have a chance to win a prize
as well based on best classroom participation, so consider getting your students involved today!
Law Day is recognized annually on May 1 as a national day of celebration aimed to strengthen the
American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. Each year the American Bar Association
chooses a theme for Law Day to help foster education and a deeper understanding of the legal system.
This year’s theme, “Miranda: More than Words,” provides the opportunity to explore the procedural
protections afforded to all by the U.S. Constitution and why the preservation of these principles is
essential to our liberty. Learn more about Law Day and this year’s theme.
The essay, art, poetry, music or performing arts submission must reflect the student’s view or impression
of the theme as described above. In addition, each work of art or music must include a title and a short
caption that describes or explains the student’s reasons for choosing the subject and its relationship to
the theme. A group of students may collaborate and submit a group entry for the music or performing arts
competition.
Enclosed you will find the competition details, entry form and guidelines. The competition deadline is
April 11, 2016. Attorneys and judges from Polk County will judge entries and chose this year’s winners.
Student winners will be honored at the PCBA & ARAG Law Day Awards Luncheon on May 10, 2016
where attorneys and judges will be in attendance. Student winners will be welcomed to invite their parents
or two other family members and you to the luncheon to celebrate. Winning entries will be published and
displayed.
We encourage you to give the contest materials to your students and to highlight, where possible, this
important theme as you continue to provide essential educational instruction and guidance. Members of
the Law Day Committee will be available to speak to your class on this subject, if you so desire. For
questions or to request an attorney to speak to your class, please email lawday@pcbaonline.org or
contact Dan Saar at 515-725-2236 or Gail Sheridan-Lucht at 515-281-6374.
We’re excited to see creative contest entries from your students! Thank you for your participation and
support of the PCBA & ARAG 2016 Law Day student competition!
Sincerely,
Dan Saar and Gail Sheridan-Lucht, PCBA Law Day Committee Co-Chairs
Samantha Cecak, ARAG Law Day Committee Member
About Polk County Bar Association: The Polk County Bar Association is the largest local bar association in the state of Iowa. We
provide continuing legal education, social and networking opportunities to our members. We are a non-profit, volunteer organization
working to serve and improve the legal and judicial system while providing public service to the community.
About ARAG: ARAG ® (www.ARAGlegal.com) provides affordable legal solutions through trusted service to help people protect
what matters most. ARAG’s North American headquarters are based in Des Moines, Iowa. We are committed to providing our
customers a choice of legal solutions to help them live a life full of opportunities. For more news and information about ARAG, visit
ARAGlegal.com.
1
2016 Law Day Visual Arts Competition
Miranda: More than Words
Sponsored by the Polk County Bar Association & ARAG
WHAT IS THIS COMPETITION ABOUT?
Law Day is recognized annually on May 1 as a national day of celebration aimed to strengthen the
American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. Each year the American Bar Association
chooses a theme for Law Day to help foster education and a deeper understanding of the legal system.
In 2016, the nation marks the 50th anniversary of perhaps the nation’s best-known U.S. Supreme Court
case, Miranda v. Arizona. The Miranda Warning has become ingrained in law enforcement and has
become familiar through countless recitations in films and television shows. Yet Miranda is only part of
the story when it comes to the procedures for ensuring justice. The 2016 Law Day theme — Miranda:
More than Words — will explore the procedural protections afforded to all of us by the U.S. Constitution,
how these rights are safeguarded by the courts, and why the preservation of these principles is essential
to our liberty.
Learn more about Law Day and this year’s theme.
Students will be encouraged to explore this year’s theme through visual arts. The Law Day Committee is
looking for creative expression that demonstrates understanding of the theme and its main concepts.
WHY ENTER IN THE COMPETITION?
 Prizes valued up to $100 will be awarded to winners.
 Student winners will be invited to the May 10, 2016 PCBA & ARAG Law Day Awards Luncheon to
be honored in front of attorneys, judges, parents and teachers.
 Entries will be publicly displayed at the PCBA and ARAG luncheon and on their websites.
 Celebrate Law Day through learning about this year’s theme and participating in a fun, creative
competition.
WHAT FORM OF ART MAY BE SUBMITTED?
 Any original two or three-dimensional medium, including painting, sculpture, graphic design and
photography.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN MY ART?
 Evidence you are curious, critical, serious or humorous; but most of all, be creative in conveying
and interpreting the theme!
HOW DO I ENTER?
 Students, teachers, and/or parents shall make arrangements for delivery of entries to the Law
Day Committee.
 The contest deadline is April 11, 2016.
 See the attached general contest information for additional information.
For questions please email lawday@pcbaonline.org or contact Dan Saar at 515-725-2236 or Gail
Sheridan-Lucht at 515-281-6374.
2
2016 Law Day Poetry Competition
Miranda: More than Words
Sponsored by the Polk County Bar Association & ARAG
WHAT IS THIS COMPETITION ABOUT?
Law Day is recognized annually on May 1 as a national day of celebration aimed to strengthen the
American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. Each year the American Bar Association
chooses a theme for Law Day to help foster education and a deeper understanding of the legal system.
In 2016, the nation marks the 50th anniversary of perhaps the nation’s best-known U.S. Supreme Court
case, Miranda v. Arizona. The Miranda Warning has become ingrained in law enforcement and has
become familiar through countless recitations in films and television shows. Yet Miranda is only part of
the story when it comes to the procedures for ensuring justice. The 2016 Law Day theme — Miranda:
More than Words — will explore the procedural protections afforded to all of us by the U.S. Constitution,
how these rights are safeguarded by the courts, and why the preservation of these principles is essential
to our liberty.
Learn more about Law Day and this year’s theme.
Students will be encouraged to explore this year’s theme through poetry. The Law Day Committee is
looking for creative expression that demonstrates understanding of the theme and its main concepts.
WHY ENTER IN THE COMPETITION?
 Prizes valued up to $100 will be awarded to winners.
 Student winners will be invited to the May 10, 2016 PCBA & ARAG Law Day Awards Luncheon to
be honored in front of attorneys, judges, parents and teachers.
 Entries will be publicly displayed at the PCBA and ARAG luncheon and on their websites.
 Celebrate Law Day through learning about this year’s theme and participating in a fun, creative
competition.
WHAT FORM OF POETRY MAY BE SUBMITTED?
 Any traditionally recognized form: epic, blank verse, sonnets, haiku, etc.
 Consider use of figurative language, imagery, pun, oxymoron, and personification.
 One page limit.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN MY POETRY?
 Evidence you are curious, critical, serious or humorous; but most of all, be creative in conveying
and interpreting the theme!
HOW DO I ENTER?
 Students, teachers, and/or parents shall make arrangements for delivery of entries to the Law
Day Committee. Entries are encouraged to be submitted via email to lawday@pcbaonline.org.
All entries submitted via email must have a completed entry form and release of liability attached.
Teachers may submit all of their students' entries in a single PDF as long as each entry is
accompanied by contest entry forms.
 The contest deadline is April 11, 2016.
 See the attached general contest information for additional details.
For questions please email lawday@pcbaonline.org or contact Dan Saar at 515-725-2236 or Gail
Sheridan-Lucht at 515-281-6374.
3
2016 Law Day Music and Performing Arts Competition
Miranda: More than Words
Sponsored by the Polk County Bar Association & ARAG
WHAT IS THIS COMPETITION ABOUT?
Law Day is recognized annually on May 1 as a national day of celebration aimed to strengthen the
American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. Each year the American Bar Association
chooses a theme for Law Day to help foster education and a deeper understanding of the legal system.
In 2016, the nation marks the 50th anniversary of perhaps the nation’s best-known U.S. Supreme Court
case, Miranda v. Arizona. The Miranda Warning has become ingrained in law enforcement and has
become familiar through countless recitations in films and television shows. Yet Miranda is only part of
the story when it comes to the procedures for ensuring justice. The 2016 Law Day theme — Miranda:
More than Words — will explore the procedural protections afforded to all of us by the U.S. Constitution,
how these rights are safeguarded by the courts, and why the preservation of these principles is essential
to our liberty.
Learn more about Law Day and this year’s theme.
Students will be encouraged to explore this year’s theme through music and performing arts. The Law
Day Committee is looking for creative expression that demonstrates understanding of the theme and its
main concepts.
WHY ENTER IN THE COMPETITION?
 Prizes valued up to $100 will be awarded to winners.
 Student winners will be invited to the May 10, 2016 PCBA & ARAG Law Day Awards Luncheon to
be honored in front of attorneys, judges, parents and teachers.
 Entries will be publicly displayed at the PCBA and ARAG luncheon and on their websites.
 Celebrate Law Day through learning about this year’s theme and participating in a fun, creative
competition.
WHAT FORM OF MUSIC COMPOSITION MAY BE SUBMITTED?
 An original musical composition recorded in the following playable formats: YouTube or Windows
Media Player. YouTube is preferred.
 An original video production, such as a documentary or original drama recorded in the following
format: YouTube or Windows Media Player. YouTube is preferred.
 Your entry may be shorter than 3 minutes in length, but should not be longer than 3 minutes.
 Your composition or production may be created individually or as a group.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN MY MUSIC COMPOSITION?
 Evidence you are curious, critical, serious or humorous; but most of all, be creative in conveying
and interpreting the theme!
HOW DO I ENTER?
 Students, teachers, and/or parents shall make arrangements for delivery of entries to the Law
Day Committee. Entries are encouraged to be submitted via email to lawday@pcbaonline.org.
All entries submitted via email must have a completed entry form and release of liability attached.
Teachers may submit all of their students’ entries by email as long as each entry is accompanied
by contest entry forms. You will receive a confirmation email from us after we receive your entry
to verify it is in the correct format.
 The contest deadline is April 11, 2016.
 See the attached general contest information for additional information.
For questions please email lawday@pcbaonline.org or contact Dan Saar at 515-725-2236 or Gail
Sheridan-Lucht at 515-281-6374.
4
2016 Law Day Essay Competition
Miranda: More than Words
Sponsored by the Polk County Bar Association & ARAG
WHAT IS THE COMPETITION ABOUT?
Law Day is recognized annually on May 1 as a national day of celebration aimed to strengthen the
American heritage of liberty, justice, and equality under the law. Each year the American Bar Association
chooses a theme for Law Day to help foster education and a deeper understanding of the legal system.
In 2016, the nation marks the 50th anniversary of perhaps the nation’s best-known U.S. Supreme Court
case, Miranda v. Arizona. The Miranda Warning has become ingrained in law enforcement and has
become familiar through countless recitations in films and television shows. Yet Miranda is only part of
the story when it comes to the procedures for ensuring justice. The 2016 Law Day theme — Miranda:
More than Words — will explore the procedural protections afforded to all of us by the U.S. Constitution,
how these rights are safeguarded by the courts, and why the preservation of these principles is essential
to our liberty.
Learn more about Law Day and this year’s theme.
Students will be encouraged to explore this year’s theme through an essay contest. The PCBA and
ARAG are looking for creative expression that demonstrates understanding of the theme and its main
concepts.
WHY ENTER IN THE COMPETITION?
 Prizes valued up to $100 will be awarded to winners.
 Student winners will be invited to the May 10, 2016 PCBA & ARAG Law Day Awards Luncheon to
be honored in front of attorneys, judges, parents and teachers.
 Entries will be publicly displayed at the PCBA and ARAG luncheon and on their websites.
 Celebrate Law Day through learning about this year’s theme and participating in a fun, creative
competition.
WHAT FORM OF ESSAY MAY BE SUBMITTED?
 All essays should be between 200 and 500 words and either typed or hand written with standard
formatting.
WHAT ARE YOU LOOKING FOR IN MY ESSAY?
 Evidence you are curious, critical, serious or humorous; but most of all, be creative in conveying
and interpreting the theme!
HOW DO I ENTER?
 Students, teachers, and/or parents shall make arrangements for delivery of entries to the Law
Day Committee. Entries are encouraged to be submitted via email to lawday@pcbaonline.org.
All entries submitted via email must have a completed entry form and release of liability attached.
Teachers may submit all of their students' entries in a single PDF as long as each entry is
accompanied by contest entry forms.
 The contest deadline is April 11, 2016.
 See the attached general contest information for additional details.
For questions please email lawday@pcbaonline.org or contact Dan Saar at 515-725-2236 or Gail
Sheridan-Lucht at 515-281-6374.
5
POLK COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION & ARAG
2016 LAW DAY COMPETTITION
GENERAL CONTEST INFORMATION
DEADLINE: All entries must be delivered or ready for pick-up on or before April 11, 2016. Each
teacher with any students participating in the contest should email lawday@pcbaonline.org or
contact Dan Saar at 515-725-2236 or Gail Sheridan-Lucht at 515-281-6374 by April 6, 2016, to
arrange for pick-up or delivery of the entries from the school. All written entries may be and are
encouraged to be submitted via email in a PDF attachment sent to lawday@pcbaonline.org. In the event
entries are submitted via email, the individual submitting the entry should ensure that the completed entry
form and release of liability are attached to each students' entry. Law Day Committee members can pick
up the entries from each participating school.
THEME: Each entry will be judged for the student’s creative use of the theme in relation to the importance
of the Miranda Rights and Miranda Warning as symbols of freedom under law. Each entry in the Visual
Arts Competition and Music and Performing Arts Competition must include a paragraph
describing the entry’s relation to the theme.
ELIGIBILITY: All students in grades 6-12 in the Polk County area are welcome and encouraged to
participate in the contest. The entries will be judged in two classes: (1) Grades 6, 7, and 8 and (2)
Grades 9, 10, 11, and 12. Each category will be evaluated separately. Students may submit a group entry
for the music and performing arts competition, if desired.
HONORS AND AWARDS: The winners in each category and each of the two grade levels will be
honored at the Polk County Bar Association luncheon on May 10, 2016. Gift certificates valued up to
$100 will also be awarded to the first place entry in each category and each of the two grade levels. Other
awards will be given at the discretion of the committee. Winning essays and poetry will be published in
the Polk County Bar Association newsletter. It is anticipated that winners will be contacted by May 1,
2016. Prizes will also be awarded to the teachers with the most outstanding participation by their
students.
JUDGING: Polk County attorneys and judges will judge contest entries as appropriate.
GENERAL CONTEST RULES: Each entry must be signed by the student. The attached entry form
must also be completed, including the release form. A parent, guardian or teacher must also sign the
entry form. The entry form should be attached to the entry, if possible. All video and audio entries must
be submitted on CD, DVD, or flash drive and playable on YouTube or Windows Media Player.
CONTACT FOR QUESTIONS OR CONCERNS: Email lawday@pcbaonline.org or contact Dan Saar at
725-2236 or Gail Sheridan-Lucht at 281-6374 with any questions or concerns about the competition.
6
ENTRY FORM, RELEASE AND CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
2016 LAW DAY STUDENT COMPETITION
____________________________________________________________________________________
First and Last Name (Please Print or Type)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Grade Level
Competition Category
School
____________________________________________________________________________________
Home Address (Street, City, State and Zip Code)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Home Telephone Number
E-mail Address
CONSENT AND RELEASE
I, _________________________________________ (print name), agree to allow the Polk County Bar
Association and ARAG’s Law Day Committee to use and display my artwork, music, video, essay or
poetry entry wherever, whenever and however it sees fit to do so, including, but not limited to, display in
various public places in and around Polk County and publication in a newsletter or other printed or
electronic medium. I release the Polk County Bar Association and ARAG, along with its officers,
employees, agents, volunteers or others associated with this competition, from and against any liability for
any damages that may occur in connection with this competition.
Signature of Student Entrant: ____________________________________________________________
I agree and consent to the above.
Signature of Parent or Guardian: _________________________________________________________
CERTIFICATE OF AUTHENTICITY
I/We certify that this entry is the original work created by:
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Name of Student)
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Student’s Signature)
____________________________________________________________________________________
(Signature of Teacher, Parent or Guardian)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Name of Teacher, Parent or Guardian (Please Print or Type)
____________________________________________________________________________________
Teacher’s Telephone number
Teacher’s E-mail Address
____________________________________________________________________________________
Parent’s/Guardian’s Telephone Number
Parent’s/Guardian’s E-mail Address
7