Thornwood  Elementary 3rd grade student, Madeline Swift, has received two recent honors from the Houston Bar Association and the State Bar of Texas.

Madeline entered the HBA’s Law Day poster contest for students in grades K-3rd. The contest’s theme this year was “How Rules Promote Fairness and Opportunity”. Madeline’s poster depicted representations of the Bill of Rights, the U. S. Constitution, and the Declaration of Independence, along with citizens from every walk of life and a slogan of “Rules Help Every Body”. The HBA awarded Madeline 1st place and $200 for the citywide contest and sent her poster on to the state competition where she received 2nd place.

To honor Madeline, the State Bar of Texas has invited her to a special Law Day celebration in Austin on May 2nd  where she will receive her award, attend a luncheon with members of the SBT and Texas Young Lawyers Association, and tour the Supreme court of Texas.

Needless to say, Madeline’s parents, Barry and Shasta Swift are very proud of her accomplishments, as is her 3rd grade teacher, Ms. Selma Prewitt and the rest of the Thornwood community. “I’m so proud of the fact that Madeline took advantage of this opportunity and produced such a wonderful poster that shows her creativity, civic mindedness, and willingness to take a risk. This is the type of courage and intitiative that we work to foster in all Thornwood students. Way to go, Madeline!”

posted 04-24-08