Emily Hernandez Wins Law Prize

fifth-grade student Emily Hernandez recently won the grand prize in New York Senator Kemp Hannon’s “There Ought to Be a Law” contest.

Emily Hernandez and her family joined finalists representing 25 other school districts at the awards dinner for the contest, held at Levittown Hall. At the end of the evening, Hernandez was selected as one of two grand prize winners for her proposed “texting and driving law.”

According to her law, there should be more severe penalties for texting and driving, including license suspensions. Her project earned her a $50 American Express gift card and a citation signed by Hannon.

Hannon’s “There Ought to Be a Law” contest offers an introduction to state government and to the legislative process in general.

One student from each school is chosen as a contest winner, with a grand prize winner selected for the best proposal. Northside Elementary School’s fifth-grade classes incorporated this activity into their unit about government.