The young voices of Oʻahu brought vivid colors and poignant perspectives to the canvas as the First Circuit Court announced the winners of its annual Law Day Art Contest. The 2025 theme, "The Constitution’s Promise: Out of Many, One," called on young talent from grades three through eight to interpret the nation's constitutional unity through art. A duo of students from the St. Andrew’s Schools – The Priory and ʻEwa Makai Middle School emerged as the first place winners, their artwork echoing the unifying spirit of America's constitutional promises.
Particularly striking was the artwork from Lilinoe Wong, a fifth grader, which claimed the first-place spot in the third to fifth-grade category. Exploring pivotal American historical moments, such as the Civil War, the Civil Rights Movement, and the very founding of the United States, these students dipped into the past to paint a picture of unity for the present. Hailey Tellyer, bringing pride to ʻEwa Makai Middle School as a seventh grader, swept up the same honor in the sixth to eighth-grade bracket. While the art contest ran its usual course, the entries' caliber of originality and creativity impressed First Circuit judges, pushing them to grade the contest based on these criteria, combined with the works' visual impact.
According to a statement from the First Circuit Court, prizes for the winners included more than accolades and certificates. Each of the first, second, and third-place winners received a Law Day certificate, gift card, and a medal to celebrate their achievement. But the trophy icing on the cake? The winning artwork will be featured in one of Oʻahu's courthouses throughout the upcoming year, giving the public and the legal community alike, a daily reminder of the creative perspectives our youth hold on constitutional unity.
It wasn’t all about the winners, though. Reflecting the quality of submissions, a notable departure from tradition occurred, with a tie for third place in the sixth to eighth grade category. Liana-Nuel Lim and Zyla Kekuawela, despite being in different grades at ʻEwa Makai Middle School, shared the final podium spot. Savor the winning artworks and meet the budding artists behind them, as the First Circuit Court has invited everyone, by displaying them in an Oʻahu courthouse and sharing photos and posters of the pieces online. Their visuals serve as a testament to the young artists’ thoughtful engagement with the Law Day theme and its significance in shaping America's landscape of liberty and justice.
