Rule of Law Writing Competition Winners Announced

Dear writers: We called on you to explore justice, equity, fairness, and law in either personal narrative, opinion writing, or creative writing style. Now, with over 900 submissions, the winners of each of our Rule of Law Competitions have been chosen by federal judges Judge James Ho, Judge Seth Aframe, and Judge Dubose! Read on to uncover who was selected by our distinguished guests.

A special thank you to the Supreme Court Historical Society for sponsoring this competition!

Rule of Law: Your Opinion

Op-Ed, Judged by The Hon. James Ho

WINNER:

“Educate Her: Stop Child Marriage in Pakistan Through Rule of Law,” by alinakhan08 (United States), age 17

“Educate Her” tells a powerful tale about the heart-wrenching injustice suffered by girls in Pakistan. As the op-ed argues, it doesn’t matter if there are laws on the books to protect girls: without enforcement, laws are nothing but parchment promises. And there is no enforcement unless there are people of character in office and on the bench who are ready and able to do their duty, without regard to public pressure. This piece elegantly intertwines personal storytelling with legal discussion, effectively reaching both the reader’s heart and mind. Well done.

RUNNER-UP:

“Gum Ban,” by Satvik (United States), age 17

“Gum Ban” does a good job illustrating that there are both costs and benefits associated with any legal rule. Laws can achieve important social benefits. But those same laws can also infringe on personal liberty. These are tradeoffs that every policy maker and citizen must grapple with.  The essay does a good job focusing attention on one particular law in Singapore, and then globalizing the analysis by invoking other laws in other countries that involve similar tradeoffs. Great job.

BEST PEER REVIEW:

“It’s Not Laryngitis, Dear (Your Voice is Being Censored!),” reviewed by Mia Remience (United States), age 14

This peer reviewer identifies the strong points of this piece while helpfully flagging areas that need work. I especially appreciate that they identified particular words and phrases that may strike the wrong tone with the reader. Good writing means good editing. And good editing means scrutinizing every word choice and turn of phrase for both substance and style.

Rule of Law: Your Story

Personal Narrative, Judged by The Hon. Seth Aframe

WINNER:

"Between Cruelty and Courage,” by Najaf Zahra (Pakistan), age 19

This is a truly incredible piece of writing. You tap into themes of failure and courage. You show what it means to challenge authority and demonstrate the difference between law and power. You also show that power bends to justice when justice acts. The problem is how do we muster the courage to fight unjust power. Your explanation is so moving! And I love the line, "I finally stepped forward, swallowing my fear because yesterday had clung to today since forever." So many of us feel the last part of the sentence (shamed by fear), but so few can do the first part!  

RUNNER-UP:

“Only the Truth Deserves to Be Read,” by Inkle (Nigeria), age 17

Truly outstanding. You have centered your story on the key insight. Law is not always just, and so rule of law is not always a virtue. You were being suffocated under a yolk of repression based on the guise of law. To turn injustice to justice requires courage, which is what your story is all about. I especially like your point that even the front-line repressor, Ms. Ijeoma, knew the real truth when you forced the issue. Through acts like yours more people like Ms. Ijeoma will eventually find their way toward fairness. Your writing is also beautiful. The story captures rising action, suspense, and a clear moral. I loved it.

BEST PEER REVIEW:

“I wish i had cookies,” reviewed by MDWords (India), age 16

Your feedback is outstanding. You encouraged the author, noted the obvious strengths in the piece, and most importantly gave specific suggestions for how the piece could become even stronger. The last part is the hardest. Many people can give praise; others can offer broad ideas for improvement that can be very hard to execute. You combine praise with real suggestions and encouragement. That's all an author can hope when they take the brave step of letting someone else read their work.   

Rule of Law: Your Imagination

Creative Writing, Judged by The Hon. Melissa DuBose

WINNER:

“Forty-Two Folds,” by myocelle (Philippines), age 17

Genre: Short Story

“Forty-Two Folds” is an elegantly crafted narrative that skillfully blends imagery and prose to create a story that is both whimsical and tragic. From the very first sentence, I was captivated by the narrator’s journey, moving fluidly through both space and time. I’m not sure how myocelle did it, but in relatively few words, they managed to create two characters the reader can’t help but love: Ma’am Tolentino and the protagonist’s mother. I was particularly struck by the author’s thought-provoking insight: “[t]he law, here, is not something you learn but something that finds you.” This is a remarkable piece of writing, and I sincerely hope this writer continues to aim for the moon.

RUNNER-UP:

“The Trial of God,” by Safeerah Rahman (Bangladesh), age 16

Genre: Short Story

“The Trial of God” is a hard-hitting narrative that would make Homer proud. This powerful work delivers a scathing indictment of humanity. While the author presents a judicial proceeding complete with the trappings of a just system — a judge, a gavel, and a prosecutor — it becomes abundantly clear that the angry crowd holds all the power. Rahman has demonstrated a remarkable mastery of imagery and language, resulting in a cautionary tale for the ages. Well done!

BEST PEER REVIEW:

“How to give a doll a makeover.,” reviewed by avacado 🥑 (United States), age 14

What made this review so effective was the reviewer’s clear investment in both the form and substance of the piece. Throughout the review, positive feedback was seamlessly woven in, particularly praising the writer’s skillful use of imagery. This constructive praise, combined with thoughtful suggestions on grammar and syntax, resulted in a well-balanced and highly effective peer review. I was also impressed by the reviewer’s attention to detail, highlighting excerpts that would be particularly impactful from the reader's perspective. This emphasis on considering the audience will no doubt help this talented author improve even further.

Finalists

OP-ED (Feedback by the Write the World Team)

Pieces:

• “Divided; United,” by Det (United States): This is a thoughtful and courageous essay that shows how a nation’s laws can reflect or distort the values of a society. You explore the tension between human traditions and human rights with insight and care. With frequent reference to past decisions and precedent, you achieve a well-reasoned, admirable call for a standard of justice rooted in empathy.
• “My American Dream, Capped at 15%,” by Rhensis Benedict Lofamia (Philippines): This essay demonstrates the very real consequences of policy changes on young people around the world. You move with ease between personal anecdote, fact, and analysis, weaving together information and emotion to make a powerful point about fairness. Your call to action towards the end is compelling, and I’m particularly moved by this triad: “You can be brilliant, but not too successful. You can contribute, but not too much. You can dream, but only within limits we set for you.”
• “Rules About Laws,” by Anna ❤️(Australia): This essay speaks to something that may be easy to overlook: the “rule of law” often works differently for those with power than for those without. By comparing Thoraeu’s relative privilege with the lived experiences of people who face no choice but to endure injustice, you turn an old philosophical question into an honest reflection on modern life. It is a compelling reminder that fairness depends not just on the law itself, but on whose behalf it is carried out.

Peer Review: 

• “Hijab Empowerment,” reviewed by SultanasTales (Bangladesh)

PERSONAL NARRATIVE (Feedback by Judge Aframe)

Pieces:

• “Judge the Individual,” by Mark Torpoco (United States): Excellent essay. You have centered your discussion on a key insight — the tendency for law to treat the collective instead of the individual. People are, as you point out, quick to discriminate based on immutable characteristics rather than judging the individual for who they are as a complete person. A question for a society is the one you pose at the conclusion: how does a society create general rules that recognize justice for the individual? It is, I think, by people like you calling out injustice, so that the rest of us can see when collective laws are perpetuating injustice instead of providing care and compassion for the individual. Your Mom should be (and I am sure is) very proud! 
• “The hidden garden of Lakki Marwat,” by Gohar Nayab (Pakistan): This is an impressive essay, beautifully written, that makes an important point. So many in our world are repressed by tradition. Your grandmother and uncle no doubt loved you, but they could not see past the centuries of tradition that caused them to engage in repression. Your parents were visionaries to see past all that they knew to see fairness and justice. Law reflects our past, but visionaries like your parents are the ones who can see when law is acting to repress and discriminate. Their courage in the face of tremendous risk is the only way to turn law toward its ultimate objective of providing equality and opportunity.
• “The Law of Empty Space,” by Lily_ (New Zealand): This is excellent. You make the important point that law is not a set of rules. It sets the standard for how we treat each other. The Mrs. Inghams of the world are what allow cruelty to persist. I felt somewhat helpless at the end of your essay which is, I think, a powerful message. How do you stop cruelty, when so many around you see cruelty as justice? This may be the question of our time.
• “The Shattered Dawn,” by Yulissa Ma (United States): This is a moving rendition. It shows how government power cannot defeat the human spirit. Law can bind a society together but, misused, it can cause terrible harm. As I reached the end and pictured you and your Dad running outside, I felt hope. Well Done!

Peer Review: 

• “‘We cover our heads not our brains,’” reviewed by ⟡ 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘧𝘶𝘭 𝘈𝘳𝘵𝘪𝘴𝘵 ⟡ (India)

CREATIVE WRITING (Feedback by Judge DuBose)

Pieces:

• “ASSENT,” by HasanAkira (Thailand): Creatively structured as a transcript or play, “ASSENT” gives the reader a front-row seat in the International Scholarship interview room where young scholars are seeking admission into what appears to be a highly competitive program. The author effectively sets the stage with carefully developed characters who confront the inherent tension between merit versus legacy in the admissions process. Leyla provides the moral conscience in the piece by challenging those who are tasked with making the decision to look inward and interrogate their own biases. This is a very timely and well-written piece. Great job! (Genre: Screenplay)
• “Buddy,” by Gan Chen (United States): “Buddy” is a charming and heartfelt tale that beautifully captures the power of empathy through the eyes of a house cat. Chen’s skillful use of language creates an authentic voice and an innocent, engaging tone. This story would translate wonderfully into a graphic novel or children’s book. I could vividly picture the setting and its colorful cast of characters and can’t wait to see where Buddy’s next adventure takes us. Congratulations, and keep writing! (Genre: Poem)
• “For Tomorrow,” by Pecteilis Radiata (United States): “For Tomorrow” is more than just the title of this piece, it is also the name of a song that symbolizes a brave act of defiance, with deadly consequences. The author tells the story of the Bowles sisters, revolutionaries in an unnamed dystopian society. Through powerful imagery, dialogue, and tone, Radiata’s work creates a tension that never lets up. Ultimately, it compels the reader to reflect on what is truly worth sacrificing for. I hope the author considers writing a prequel. This is a compelling piece. (Genre: Short Story)
• “I Don’t Feel Guilty,” by ipsibean13 (United States): “I Don’t Feel Guilty” is a chilling indictment of mankind’s capacity for inhumanity. This dystopian piece serves as a stark reminder that we must resist the temptation to normalize cruelty. The author guides us through what begins as a relatively mundane day at work, only to culminate in the unspeakable. The title itself is provocative in that it is woven throughout the narrative in a way that challenges the reader not to feel something. This is a powerful piece! (Genre: Short Story)
• “Mary’s Soldier Boy,” by pretentiousPhilistine (Australia): “Mary’s Soldier Boy” is a haunting poem that firmly belongs in the tradition of Wilfred Owen’s “Dulce et Decorum Est.” The author’s use of rhyme in short, biting stanzas is heartbreakingly effective. I was also struck by the author’s use of religious imagery, which evokes the biblical Mary sacrificing her son. This is one of those poems that lingers with the reader long after reading it. Excellent work! 

Peer Review:

• “Ghost Potion.,” reviewed by Hardin (United States)

Thank you to the Supreme Court Historical Society for sponsoring this competition. The Supreme Court Historical Society is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit membership organization dedicated to preserving and collecting the history of the United States Supreme Court, increasing public awareness of the Court's contribution to the constitutional heritage of the United States, and acquiring knowledge covering the history of the entire Judicial Branch. Learn more at supremecourthistory.org and explore resources at civics.supremecourthistory.org.