Sixth-grade students across Montgomery County recently participated in the JUST LAW Writing and Art Contest, sponsored by the New York State Unified Court System and led by the Honorable Kris Singh of the Montgomery County Surrogate Court. The initiative is part of the broader JUST LAW program, which helps middle school students learn about the state’s legal system and reflect on the role of justice in their communities.
Students were introduced to the program during an informational assembly held in the fall. Following the session, they were invited to submit either a 250-word essay or an original piece of artwork centered around the theme, “What Justice Means to Me.”
The contest encouraged students to think critically about fairness, equality and the legal system’s responsibilities. Submissions were reviewed by a panel of judges at the Montgomery County Courthouse.
Three students from the Greater Amsterdam School District earned top recognition for their entries:
First Place: Rhayna Arndt
Second Place: Brody Dodd
Third Place: Dylan Schafer
Judge Singh visited Lynch Literacy Academy to commend the students and present monetary awards, which were donated by the Montgomery County Bar Association.
The JUST LAW contest is designed to help students build civic awareness, encouraging them to become more informed and engaged members of society through thoughtful expression and discussion.