Orland Student Among Finalists In Bill Of Rights Competition

ORLAND PARK, IL — On Dec. 11, the district court announced three students from the Northern District of Illinois who were selected as finalists in the first Bill of Rights Contest hosted by the U.S. Courts for the 7th and 8th Circuits. One of the finalists selected is a St. Michael student here in Orland Park.

In October, kindergarten through 12th grade students living in the Northern District
of Illinois were invited to submit an essay, poem, video, photograph, song, or piece of art on
the importance of the Bill of Rights in celebration of the anniversary of the Bill of Rights. Bill of Rights Day 2020 is Dec. 15.

Each district winner was awarded a $50 gift card and the chance to compete for cash prizes up to
$500 against finalists from other courts within the 7th and 8th Circuits

Elizabeth Morrissey, a 7th grader at St. Michael School, 14355 Highland Ave, Orland Park, wrote a poem for the competition. In the poem, Morrissey talks about what the Bill of Rights means to her.

"What does the Bill of Rights
mean to me?
It means I finally
get to be free

It means I’m a bird
flying high
Above the clouds
touching stars in the sky

A chance to do right
after doing something wrong
Like a songbird
signing a forgiveness song..."

The entire poem can be read here.

creative submissions demonstrated understanding of and enthusiasm for the Bill of Rights,”
said Chief Judge Rebecca R. Pallmeyer.

Elementary finalist Elon Stokes went on to win second place among entries in the 7th and 8th Circuits (Illinois, Indiana, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota) in the elementary school category. For this, Stokes won a $200 cash prize.

The public along with contest participants were invited to join a virtual Bill of Rights Family
Event on Dec. 2 to learn from federal judges and attorneys about the Bill of Rights in
action. U.S. District Judge Steven C. Seeger and U.S. Magistrate Judge M. David Weisman, both
of the Northern District of Illinois, were among the judges who presented to students.

The event was sponsored by the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Seventh and
Eighth Circuits. The Northern District of Illinois Court Historical Association donated to the event. U.S. Magistrate Judge Beth W. Jantz, and attorneys Chris Chasin and Arielle Williams reviewed contest submissions, according to the courts.