Supreme Court invites public to celebrate Law Day on May 1

CHARLESTON - The Supreme Court of Appeals of West Virginia invites members of the public to celebrate Law Day on Monday, May 1, from 9 a.m. until 2 p.m. at the state Capitol Complex.

This year's national Law Day theme is "Liberty Under Law: Separate Branches, Balanced Powers."

As part of the Law Day celebration, there will be a special ceremony at 10:30 a.m. to honor Department of Health and Human Resources Secretary Martha Yeager Walker, the recipient of the Law Day Liberty Bell Award. Walker has served the state throughout her career in a number of different capacities, including her service as a delegate, a senator and a public service commissioner. In all areas of service, Walker worked for children and their families.

Supreme Court Justice Elliott E. Maynard will make remarks during the special ceremony and will present Walker's award.

Other Law Day activities will include a Legal Information Fair with various state agencies, law enforcement, and other legal organizations participating; Supreme Court tours; entertainment and food booths. The festivities will be in the courtyard between the East and West Wings, but will move to the lower rotunda in case of rain.

The Supreme Court also will display winning photographs from its fifth annual "Images of Freedom" photography competition that was open to all West Virginia students from kindergarten through high school.

The winners for the high school division are as follows: first place Jesse L. Brake, Grafton High School; second place Natalie Smith, Wheeling Park, third place Kelsey Johnson, Big Creek.

The winners for the middle school division are as follows: first place Melissa Hill, East Hardy Middle School; second place Logan Honaker, SS Peter and Paul Catholic; third place Joel Young, SS Peter and Paul Catholic.

The winners for the elementary school division are as follows: first place Elizabeth Adams, Wirt County Primary; Drew Adams, Wirt County Primary; third place Dalis Wilerson, McNinch Elementary.

For more information about Law Day, contact Special Projects Counsel Jennifer Singletary at jennnifersingletary@courtswv.org or at (304) 558-0145. Other Law Day information is available on the Supreme Court Web site at www.state.wv.us/wvsca/lawday/covercss.htm.