The Mercer County Bar Association held its annual Law Day Essay Contest Award Ceremony on May 1, 2026 in the Mercer County Common Pleas Court. Mercer County Probate/Juvenile Court Judge Matthew L. Gilmore, Mercer County Common Pleas Court Judge Matthew K. Fox, and Attorney Erin M. Abels, Mercer County Bar Association President, presided over the ceremony.

1st Row: Judge Matthew L. Gilmore, Erin Abels, Honor Fledderjohann, Haylee Schwieterman, Paige Stachler, Magistrate Richard M. Delzeith, Judge Matthew K. Fox.
2nd Row: William Huber, Treasurer Davide E. Wolters, Sheriff Doug Timmerman, Clerk of Courts Cal Freeman, John Sacher, Retired Judge Jeffrey R. Ingraham.
3rd Row: County Commissioner Rick Muhlenkamp, Recorder Julie Peel, Celina City Law Director George Moore.

The 2026 Law Day theme is “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” The rule of law—the idea that no person is above the law—is what ensures the rights of the people to live their lives as freely as possible and to pursue their dreams.

The Rule of Law refers to a system of self-government in which the government and all individuals are held accountable to a set of fair, publicized, and broadly understood laws that are evenly enforced. The Rule of Law protects the rights necessary for each person to pursue their own happiness – their own vision of “the American Dream” – the belief that hard work can produce a better life.

For this year’s essay contest, the students had 3 topics to choose from:

Explain what your American dream is and describe how the Constitution and the rule of law now make that dream possible. Consider how laws, rights, and the new system of government help provide fairness, protect your opportunities, and allow you to pursue your goals.

What challenges threaten the rule of law today, and how might those challenges affect opportunities for future generations?

What key principles of the Constitution – such as separation of powers, checks and balances, individual rights, etc. – protect citizens and create opportunities for people to work toward their dreams?

There were 25 essays submitted for consideration from Mercer County Schools. Eligible students were from the 8th grade.

This year’s winners received cash prizes of $100 for 3rd place, $200 for 2nd place, and $300 for 1st place. Also, the 1st place winner received a “One Day Job Shadow” with an elected official of her choosing. All of the winners also received several Law Day keepsakes and a certificate of achievement.

All of this year’s winners came from Marion Local Schools.

The Third Place Winner was Honor Fledderjohann from Marion Local Schools.

Honor chose the topic of the American Dream and how the Rule of Law makes that dream possible.

Honor wrote in her essay:

“I realized that the American Dream isn’t just one idea, but many ideas that make America what it is today. My American Dream is a country-living dream, watching my children jumping in a beautiful blue pond as my husband and I sit on a patio in lounge chairs. I will hear the cicadas buzzing and frogs croaking. I won’t have to worry about my church being illegal or not being able to have as many kids as I want. I will watch my kids grow up and not have to worry about a corrupt, controlling country. I dream I will always be able to use my constitutional rights and that my kids will use them too. I want my house to be filled with hope, joy, and faith instead of fear and doubt. I feel grateful knowing that our country provides safety and peace through the Constitution and its laws so we can chase our own American Dream.”

The Second Place Winner was Paige Stachler from Marion Local Schools.

Paige also chose the topic of the American Dream and how the Rule of Law makes that dream possible.

Paige wrote in her essay:

“All in all, my American Dream is to live freely, succeed through hard work, and have equal opportunities. The Constitution and the laws that are put in order for our country make my dream possible by protecting my rights, making fairness possible, and limiting the power of the government. Because of these many things that make our country what it is today, I will have the chance to pursue my life long goals of growing a family and being a well succeeded person with a bright future.”

The First Place Winner was Haylee Schwieterman from Marion Local Schools.

Haylee chose the topic of: What key principles of the Constitution protect citizens and create opportunities for people to work toward their dreams?

Haylee wrote in her essay:

“Ultimately, the main aspects of the Constitution that protect citizens are the rules controlling the government, amendments protecting individual rights, and the protection of unenumerated rights. The system of checks and balances outlined in the Constitution is crucial in protecting citizens because it prevents the government from becoming too powerful and from abusing its power. In addition, individual rights are protected by the Bill of Rights and other amendments. Citizens also have unenumerated rights that are protected by the Constitution. The Constitution has these features to help citizens reach their goals. In the end, the Constitution has many key parts that protect the people of the United States of America and give them opportunities to work towards their dreams.”

Marion Local 8th grade teacher Laura Wolters was in attendance in support of her students.

Following the ceremony, the Mercer County Bar Association and local elected officials took a picture with the essay winners.