Congratulations to Raylee Mateo, fifth grader at St. Joseph School, and King James Mangoba, eighth grader at Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate School, who were the overall first place winners in the Third Circuit’s inaugural Law Day Poster Contest!

Students in grades three through eight were asked to create a poster interpreting the 2019 Law Day theme, Free Speech, Free Press, Free Society. They learned about the First Amendment rights of all Americans and created unique and imaginative works of art showcasing this year’s theme.

Entries were received from 133 students representing seven schools. Family Court Judges Darien Ching Nagata, Wendy DeWeese, and Mahilani Hiatt had the difficult job of selecting winners in each of the categories. Third Circuit Chief Judge Greg Nakamura chose the overall winners for both categories.

“The posters were so incredibly creative, thought provoking and vibrant that choosing winning posters was almost an impossible task,” said Judge Nagata.

Along with a pizza party for their class, the winners were recognized on May 20, 2019 at the Hale Kaulike Courthouse in Hilo. The winning posters from East Hawaii schools were displayed at Hale Kaulike, and the winning posters from West Hawaii were displayed at the Family Court in Kailua-Kona.

Each entrant received a certificate of achievement and a Law Day bookmark. Congratulations to all of the participants.

East Hawaii 3rd – 5th Grade Category:

1st Place: Raylee Mateo, fifth grader, St. Joseph School

2nd Place: Teiah Otani, third grader, Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School

3rd Place: Yuriy Russo, fifth grader, St. Joseph School

Honorable Mention East Hawaii Grades 3 -5:

•  Kealani Iopa, fifth grader, St. Joseph School
•  Bryani Bartolome, fifth grader, St. Joseph School
•  Leilani Castillo, fifth grader, St. Joseph School
•  Kaylee Allen, third grader, Hilo Union School
•  Milla Sakai, third grader, Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School
•  Celine Chang, fourth grader, Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School
•  Jaysha Rasmussen, fourth grader, Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School
•  Ayden Klatte, fourth grader, Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School

West Hawaii 3rd – 5th Grade Category:

1st Place: Kolten Gouveia, fifth grader, Hookena Elementary School

2nd Place: Camillegrace Kupihe, fifth grader, Kealakehe Elementary School

3rd Place: Kaikoa Baniaga Reyes, fifth grader, Hookena Elementary School

Honorable Mention West Hawaii Grades 3 -5:

•  Eden Heil, fourth grader, Hoʻokena Elementary School

6th – 8th Grade Category:

1st Place: King James Mangoba, eighth grader, Kalanianaole Elementary & Intermediate School

2nd Place: Mia Tulang, eighth grader, Hilo Intermediate School

3rd Place: George Krail, eighth grader, Hilo Intermediate School

Honorable Mention East Hawaii Grades 6-8:

•  Jasmine Heaster, eighth grader, Hilo Intermediate School
•  Mia Pohlen, sixth grader, Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School
•  Zoe Kaneshiro, sixth grader, Ernest Bowen de Silva Elementary School