2006 Law Day Luncheon

Donald Hickey, professor of history at Wayne State College, presented “A Visit with Alexander Hamilton” at the Seventh Annual Law Day Luncheon on May 1, 2006. This luncheon, which was hosted by the Nebraska State Bar Foundation and the Nebraska Supreme Court, recognized the winners of the Law Day Essay Contest. Hickey’s portrayal of Hamilton was made possible by the Nebraska Humanities Council as part of the NHC Speakers Bureau.

The Law Day Luncheon and Hickey's portrayal of Hamilton were open to the public.

The 2006 question, which was related to the 2006 Law Day theme, "Liberty Under Law: Separate Branches, Balanced Powers," is below:

The separation of powers ensures that each branch of government serves as a check upon the other branches. However, government authority ultimately rests in the people. How can the people serve as a check upon the legislative, executive, and judicial branches of government? In what ways are the people’s abilities to check the powers of the three branches hindered, and what can be done to help ensure that the people can act as an effective check upon the government?

For entry information, please see the Invitation Letter to the right.

The Law Day Essay Contest attracts essays from students across the state, competing by grade level, grades 7-12. By researching and writing about a topic related to the annual Law Day theme, students can gain a deeper understanding of and make a stronger connection with our heritage of liberty and the citizenship it requires to keep our country free.

The Essay Contest culminates each May on Law Day (on or near May 1) with a luncheon honoring the winners. Parents, teachers, and community members are also invited to attend this annual luncheon.

Winners are selected from each grade level, and they, their teachers and parents are invited to a special recognition luncheon on May 1, 2006, in Lincoln. Students are not asked to read their essays; however, copies of the writers’ winning work are bound and displayed at the luncheon.

  

2006 Law Day Luncheon
Monday, May 1, 2006
11:45 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
Cornhusker Marriott Hotel
333 S. 13th Street
Lincoln, Nebraska

2006 Law Day Essay Contest Winners
7th Grade
   Lucas Schmidt
David City Public
8th Grade
   Griffin Hovorka
Elmwood-Murdock Jr. High
9th Grade
   Mark Lutkemeier
Silver Lake High (Roseland)
10th Grade
   Timothy Burge
Perkins County High (Grant)
11th Grade
   Alex Jones
St. Patrick's High (North Platte)
12th Grade
   Liz Petto
Westside High (Omaha)

 

 

 

 

Click on a picture below to view a larger copy of that picture.

 
    Don Hickey, Wayne State College history professor, appears Chautauqua style as Alexander Hamilton.
     
 
Contest winners, dignitaries and guests celebrate their freedom on Law Day.   Essay Contest winners from grades 7-12 receive congratulations.. Front row left to right: Griffin Hovorka, 8th grade; Mark Lutkemeier, 9th grade; and Lucas Schmidt, 7th grade. Back row, left to right: Chief Justice John V. Hendry, Nebraska Supreme Court; Tim Burge, 10th grade; Alex Jones, 11th grade; Liz Petto, 12th grade; and Bar Foundation President Dean G. Kratz.
     
 
Chief Justice Hendry and Dean Kratz with 7th grade winner Lucas Schmidt and his teacher Jarod Ockander from David City Public School.   Chief Justice Hendry and Dean Kratz with 8th grade winner Griffin Hovorka and his teacher Lisa Schmidt from Elmwood-Murdock Jr./Sr. High School.
     
 
Chief Justice Hendry and Dean Kratz with 9th grade winner Mark Lutkemeier from Silver Lake High School.   Chief Justice Hendry and Dean Kratz with 10th grade winner Tim Burge and his teacher Anita Burge from Perkins County High School.
     
 
Chief Justice Hendry and Dean Kratz with 11th grade winner Alex Jones and her superintendent William McGahan from North Platte St. Patrick’s High School.   Chief Justice Hendry and Dean Kratz with 12th grade winner Liz Petto and her teacher Nancy Knapp from Omaha Westside High School.
     
 
Two of three branches of government are represented at this table. Far left, first row: Senior Judge Warren K. Urbom, U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska and far right, first row: Nebraska Senator Don Pederson, District 42, North Platte.   Professor Hickey inscribes his book, Citizen Hamilton: The Words and Wisdom of an American Founder, for Griffin Hovorka as Chief Justice Hendry looks on.