Middle school students across Michigan will tackle the issue "Celebrate Your Freedom: What I learned about freedom by looking at the constitution of another nation" as part of the 1999 celebration of Law Day. The annual essay contest for all 6th, 7th and 8th graders in the state is sponsored by the State Bar of Michigan and the Michigan Lawyers' Auxiliary.

"We believe this theme will challenge students to look beyond their immediate backyard to other parts of the world. It's an opportunity to reflect globally on the similarities and differences that exist in the law," said Jea nne Skilton of West Bloomfield, Michigan Lawyers' Auxiliary Law Day chair.

Entries to the state essay contest must be 400 words or less and postmarked by March 2, 1999. In various areas across the state local Law Day essay contests are taking place sponsored either by a local auxiliary or a local bar association. Winners of those local contests will automatically be entered into the state contest. Winners of the local contests must be submitted by March 16.

Four winners in each grade level will be selected. Each will receive a U.S. Savings Bond, an award and a dictionary. Winners and their parents, teacher, and principal will be invited to attend a state awards luncheon at noon on Friday, April 30, 1999 at the Holiday Inn South in Lansing. Winners will be given the opportunity to read their essays at the luncheon. The featured Law Day luncheon speaker will be Attorney General Jennifer Granholm.

All teachers and students are encouraged to participate whether from public, private, charter or home schools. Sample constitutions are available on the State Bar's web site at www.michbar.org, however participants are not limited to these examples. The web site has resources for both the essay contest and the 1999 Law Day Kit which also contain Law Day projects and materials.

Persons without access to the web site can receive a printed version of the 1999 Law Day Kit by contacting Jill Salisbury at the State Bar at jsalisbury@michbar.org or 1-800-968-1442 ext. 6325.