2025 MCBA Law Day Press Release

The Mercer County Bar Association held its annual Law Day Essay Contest Award Ceremony on May 1, 2025 in the Mercer County Common Pleas Court. Mercer County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Matthew L. Gilmore, Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew K. Fox, Retired Mercer County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Mary Pat Zitter, and Attorney Erin M. Abels, Mercer County Bar Association President, presided over the ceremony.

The Preamble to the Constitution boldly asserts that the Framers established the Constitution as representatives of “We the People, in Order to Form a More Perfect Union.” On this Law Day, we explore and renew our duties to one another under the Constitution and our democratic norms. The Constitution establishes a framework for government that unites us as one citizenry, through means such as our representative government, jury service, and a regular Census. And through this commitment to our Union, we each provide for the common good through government responses to national crises and natural disasters, and through community and advocacy programs for students and adults.

The Constitution enshrines our collective responsibility to one another, and the 2025 Law Day theme urges us to take pride in a Constitution that bridges our differences to bring us together as a united nation. Our civic lives tie us together as one “We,” whether through legislative efforts that serve the common good, through military service, or by working together, every day, to fulfill the promise of E pluribus unum, or “Out of many, one.”

For this year’s essay contest, the students had 3 topics to choose from:

1. “E Pluribus Unum” literally translates to, “out of many, one,” in Latin. Using current and past events as examples, explain how, and to what extent, our current society and government reflect this maxim.

2. Why are civic responsibilities, such as government service, jury service, voting, and the Census, important for maintaining a united democracy? Analyze how these responsibilities contribute to building trust and cooperation among citizens.

3. What do you think about when you hear “rule of law?”

There were 17 essays submitted for consideration from Mercer County Schools. Eligible students were from the 8^th grade.

This year’s winners received cash prizes of $100 for 3^rd place, $200 for 2^nd place, and $300 for 1^st place. Also, the 1^st place winner received a “One Day Job Shadow” with an elected official of her choosing. All of the winners also received several Law Day keepsakes and a certificate of achievement.

This year's winners came from St. Henry and Marion Local Schools.

The Third Place Winner was Larkin Schwartz from St. Henry Schools.

Larkin chose the topic of Rule of Law.

Larkin wrote in her essay:

“When I hear this term, I think of a system where every person is treated equally and fairly under the law, no matter their status, beliefs, or backgrounds. Rule of law applies to every single person no matter the wealth or power any human holds. This principle brings unity, strength, and equality to America. Rule of law guides the United States to the desired togetherness of a patronizing country.”

The Second Place Winner wasHarper Fledderjohann from Marion Local Schools.

Harper chose the topic of E Pluribus Unum.

Harper wrote in his essay:

“American history is completely unique because it started in E Pluribus form: an extension of other countries, and multiple colonies. This all began when the first men came to American to colonize and, in some cases, have religious freedom. After the French and Indian war, the British took a much firmer grip on America. Taxes rising and some rebellions led America to defeat the largest power on the planet in this time period through The American Revolution….The founding fathers decided they needed to learn from past governments in the world, again using many to influence the one. Our government has taken pieces from the Greeks, the Romans, and even the United Kingdom….Because the founding fathers learned from past mistakes of the Romans and Greeks, some of the greatest societies of all time, American culture became one of the greatest today and embodies the best parts of the many into our one unified country.”

The First Place Winner was Adellyn Overman from Marion Local Schools.

Adellyn chose the topic of: Why civic responsibilities are important to maintaining a united democracy.

Adellyn wrote in her essay:

“Civic responsibilities are very important in order to remain a united democracy. Some examples of civil responsibilities are volunteering and jury service, which are duties from a range of all ages. Volunteering allows citizens to help out their community, and jury service lets citizens establish fairness to their community. Both volunteering and jury service play vital roles in fostering civic engagement and accountability. These examples play a crucial role in maintaining a united democracy by fostering community engagement and ensuring that citizens actively participate in the democratic process. This establishes that our democracy will remain strong, united, and responsive to the needs of all citizens.”

St. Henry 8^th grade teacher Monica Wehrley and Marion Local 8^th grade teacher Laura Wolters were in attendance in support of their students.

Following the ceremony, the Mercer County Bar Association and local elected officials took a picture with the essay winners.

Group Picture:

1^st Row: Emily Gast-Schlater, Molli Schleucher, Erin Abels, Magistrate Richard M. Delzeith, William Huber, Adellyn Overman, Harper Fledderjohann, Larkin Schwartz, Retired Judge Mary Pat Zitter, Judge Matthew K. Fox, Judge Matthew L. Gilmore.

2^nd Row: Prosecutor Erin M. Minor, Rebecca King-Newman, Sheriff Doug Timmerman, Auditor Jeffrey S. Larmore, Commissioner Rick Muhlenkamp, Commissioner Brian Miller, Treasurer David E. Wolters, Commissioner Dave Buschur.

3^rd Row: Peter Galyardt, Chelsea Kemper, Daniel Gudorf, Evin Bachelor, Celina City Law Director George Moore, Kari White, Bryce Schlenker, Judy Koesters, Shannon Kaiser, John Sacher, Ross Finke.