At the annual Law Day meeting and luncheon May 1 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Jacksonville Riverfront hotel Downtown, the JBA Law Week Committee introduced what is intended to be a new annual Law Week tradition.
In a partnership with Jean Ribault High School and the Ribault High School Future Leaders and Lawyers program sponsored by the Young Lawyer Section of the JBA, a speech contest open to all students started this year.
The prompt, based on the “Voices of Democracy” Law Day theme, was “How can young voices shape the future of our democracy?”
Six students wrote and then delivered short speeches that were graded on five criteria: delivery, organization, originality, responsiveness and overall effectiveness.
The speeches were recorded by the students, uploaded and then judged by members of the committee.
“We were moved by every speech and by how passionate the students are about shaping their futures,” said Alex Hill, JBA Law Week Committee member.
Prizes for the three top speech writers are sponsored by the Rogers Towers law firm, Grapple Wrestling Academy and the JBA.
The inaugural winners:
First place and the $500 prize went to 11th-grade student Mya Ingram, who presented her speech at the luncheon.
Jasmine Delphonse, a 9th-grade student, won second place and a $100 prize.
Zyonna Rolle, an 11th-grade student, won third place and a $50 prize.