Oklahoma Bar Association 2025 Law Day Art & Writing Contest
DEADLINE 1/24/2025
2025 Law Day Contest
The annual OBA Law Day Art and Writing Contest is designed to stimulate discussion and understanding of the law among young Oklahomans. Categories include art and writing for grades pre-K through 12th, with prizes up to $500 and plaques for winners, plus participation certificates to honor every student's hard work. The 2025 theme is “The Constitution's Promise: Out of Many, One.”
To mail entries, send to:
OBA Law Day Committee
P.O. Box 53036
Oklahoma City, OK 73152
Deliver to the Oklahoma Bar Center:
Oklahoma Bar Center
1901 N. Lincoln Blvd.
Oklahoma City, 73105
Monday-Friday 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m.
(excluding holidays)
The deadline to submit entries is Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.
Questions? Contact the contest coordinator, Lauren Davis, at laurenr@okbar.org or 405-416-7018.
- One Grand Prize of $500 will be awarded to the best overall individual entry chosen from all grade levels. If the grand prize is awarded to a group entry, the grand prize will be split equally among the group members.
- Judging for the art and writing contest is based on originality and interpretation of the theme.
- Entries must be delivered or postmarked by Friday, Jan. 24, 2025.
- The contest is only open to students who live in Oklahoma.
- Please include the entry form (PDF) with the entry.
- Entries may not be returned unless requested when submitted.
- Entries are limited to one per student in each contest.
- Each student will receive a participant certificate. Teachers who submit multiple student entries will be sent blank certificates ready for personalization for each student who enters.
- Winners are typically announced in March. Please check this site for updates.
- Winning entries, student names and schools will be posted to the OBA website.
- First- and second-place winners in each category will receive a framed award certificate in addition to prize money; honorable mention recipients will receive an award certificate. Presentations of first and second place and honorable mention awards will vary by county but will typically be presented by the local county bar association either at the school or in a separate ceremony.
- Judges reserve the right to not award a prize for every grade level.
- Entries containing or portraying profanity or nudity will not be considered for placement in the contest, and each entry’s online publication is subject to approval.
ART CONTEST -
This is a free-form art contest for students grades 1st through 12th. Entries will be an original piece of artwork from any medium. Examples of entries might be mixed media artwork, original music, photography, video, collage or anything else that relates to the contest theme. Art prompts are provided below. Don't forget to include your entry form.
- First-place and second-place prizes and plaques will be awarded for each grade level. Honorable mention certificates may also be awarded.
- Prizes for placement:
- 1st-5th grades: $50 for first place, $25 for second place
- 6th-8th grades: $100 for first place, $50 for second place
- 9th-12th grades: $150 for first place, $75 for second place
- Group submissions are accepted and will be judged at the grade level of the group member in the highest grade.
Use any of the following prompts as inspiration for your artwork:
- Show how people of different backgrounds, cultures and perspectives come together to strengthen and unite our nation.
- How does the Constitution’s promise adapt to embrace an evolving American identity?
- How do individual stories and experiences form the foundation of American democracy?
- Illustrate what “Out of Many, One” means to you.
WRITING CONTEST -
Students will respond to one of the prompts provided below based on their grade level, or they may submit an essay based on a prompt relating to the Law Day theme. The prompts provided have been tailored to align with the Oklahoma State Department of Education social studies standards. For grades 6th-12th, two prompts are provided: one that is more research-focused and one focused more on creative writing. Students should respond to just one of the prompts. Poetry and creative writing entries will also be accepted as part of the writing contest. There is no word count minimum or maximum requirement. Don't forget to include your entry form.
- First-place and second-place prizes and plaques will be awarded for each grade level. Honorable mention certificates may also be awarded.
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Prizes for placement: -
1st-5th grades: $50 for first place, $25 for second place -
6th-8th grades: $100 for first place, $50 for second place - 9th-12th grades: $150 for first place, $75 for second place
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Writing Rubrics: Elementary | Middle School | High School
Writing Contest Prompts: (Downloadable PDF)