West High junior wins Minority Bar contest

West High School junior Sophie Jin's essay on the separation of powers earned her a first place award for the Utah Minority Bar Association's Law Day Contest.

An essay by Tyson Tharp, a junior at Murray High School, took second place in the contest themed "Liberty Under the Law: Separate Branches, Balanced Powers."

Law Day 2006 is sponsored locally by the Utah State Bar and the Young Lawyers Division of the Utah State Bar. This year's theme was selected to show how courts, Congress and the president each represent separate powers, but together form a dynamic system that works for the common good.

The essay contest was open to juniors and seniors at Utah high schools. Jin will receive a $100 prize, and Tharp will receive $50. The Utah Minority Bar Association will present Jin and Tharp with their awards at the annual Law Day luncheon, to be held at Little America Hotel on Monday.