Elizabeth Adams of Wirt County Primary School won first place in the elementary division with "Balancing The Law." She said, "I took this picture to show that the law balanced with the courts equals liberty."
Merissa Hill of East Hardy Middle School won first place in the middle school division with "The Early Days." She said the picture was taken in 2004 in Hardy County. "I was trying to see the way people used to live in earlier days as compared to modern day."
Jesse L. Brake of Grafton High School won first place in the high school division with "Captured Glory." It was taken in Flemington in Taylor County in March 2005. "The Sparrow Hawk symbolizes liberty, while the glove represents the law. The fingers of the glove stand for the separate branches of government, but they work together to guide 'Liberty' in the right path."
CHARLESTON -- Each year, the West Virginia Supreme Court and a number of circuits, family, and magistrate courts throughout the state sponsor various activities to celebrate Law Day.
Founded in 1958 by President Eisenhower, Law Day celebrates the American legal system and provides members of the legal system a chance to educate the public about their rights and responsibilities under the law.
Law Day is an opportunity for all Americans to celebrate and enjoy our freedoms. This year's theme was "Liberty Under Law: Separate Branches, Balanced Powers." It celebrated how the three government branches represent separate powers, but together form a dynamic system of democracy that works for the common good.
Here are the top winners in the annual West Virginia Images of Freedom Photography Competition.