District Court for the Northern Mariana Islands

The District Court announced and recognized the winners of the 2023 Law Day Photo Contest. In celebration of Law Day, the District Court also held its 3rd Annual Law Day Photo Contest during May. Law Day is celebrated nationally on May 1st to recognize the rule of law. Law Day underscores how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms that we all enjoy.

Law Day is celebrated nationally on May 1st to recognize the rule of law. Law Day underscores how law and the legal process have contributed to the freedoms that we all enjoy. The Law Day Theme for 2023 is "Cornerstones of Democracy: Civics, Civility, and Collaboration".

The Third Annual Law Day Photo Contest was part of several civic engagement activities held this Spring, The first photo contest began in 2021 in recognition of Law Day to help recognize the importance of law through the eyes and creative minds of our students.

Photos were judged according to their originality, creativity, and how well the photo represents the Law Day theme. Contestants were to submit a photo that represents the theme with a short description of no more than 150 words.

This photo contest was open to all middle and high school students in the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands.

The middle school winner is:

First Place: Maria Guerrero (6th Grade, Mt. Carmel School)

The high school winners are:

First Place: Xinyi Ni (12th Grade, Kagman High School)
Second Place: Janiy Mohammed (11th Grade, Marianas High School)
Third Place: Seungeun Ha (10th Grade, Mt. Carmel School)

An award ceremony was held on June 9, 2023 in the third floor courtroom for the participants of both the Ninth Circuit Civics Contest and Law Day Photo Contest. Chief Judge Ramona V. Manglona, Magistrate Judge Heather L. Kennedy and Court staff presented certificates and check prizes to the winners.

Middle School Winner

First Place: Maria Guerrero, 6th Grade.
Mt. Carmel School

“Main purpose of Cornerstones of Democracy is to ensure Power remain with People. The Power of Mother Nature can be euphemism for Civics, Civility and Collaboration.”

High School Winners

First Place “Our Plate" by Xinyi Ni, 12th Grade.
Kagman High School

“My photo depicts a plate of assorted rosary food. Each year on Mother’s Day, we celebrate the finakpo’ or the last day of the rosary: for San Isidro in Chalan Kanoa. What’s so beautiful about this is when different families from District IV come together and put out their cooking to share. Even with the tense atmosphere the recent election season created, it suddenly does not matter if one family is Democrat or the other is Republican, they collaborated for one goal, to celebrate. This is like in our democratic system, the idea of compromising when deliberating on an issue. Even with a now divided government, when problems need immediate solutions, both parties get together and try to find a solution. This plate of rosary food is a representation of the willingness to collaborate–in our community and our country.”

Second Place “Cornerstone of Democracy" by Janiy Mohammed, 11th Grade.
Marianas High School

This image portrays a demolished wall which once stood. The image shown captures 3 people who can be seen actively rebuilding that same wall, which symbolizes our government working together to rebuild and strengthen our democracy. The closest person represents the strength of our leaders, looking out for our people. The individual is seen facing towards the light, foreseeing a brighter future for all. The second person on the right symbolizes the people, who play a major part in upholding our democracy. In cooperating with our government, we contribute towards the strengthening of our union. Finally the person on the left represents our congress and our government employees. Being seen holding the largest brick, it represents the individuals whom uphold their job for the sake of upholding our democracy. Within rebuilding this wall, we uphold the cornerstone of our democracy, the unity between the government and the people.

Third Place “Collaboration of Flags" by Seungeun Ha, 10th Grade.
Mt. Carmel School

“Flag[s], always represents the country. Living in our daily life, we feel free in a nation under democracy. We collaborate and treat others with civility. Under the flags, we feel proud at its country, collaborating with one another.”