Canfield students win Law Day essay contest
Neighbors | Abby Slanker.Marisa McGrath (left) and John Vagas placed first and second, respectively, in the Mahoning County Bar Association Law Day essay contest. They both received scholarship money.
By ABBY SLANKER
Two Canfield High School students have been awarded the Robert Boyd Scholarship by placing first and second in the Mahoning County Bar Association Law Day Essay Contest. The contest was open to students in Mahoning County.
Marisa McGrath, a junior, won first place in the contest and received $500 in scholarship money. John Vagas, a senior, placed second and received $400 in scholarship money.
The students addressed the topic, “Should cell phone use be restricted while driving?” in their essays.
McGrath, daughter of Tom and Barbara McGrath, wrote that drivers should be more cautious when using their cell phones while driving. She pointed out that cell phones are necessary to drivers, as more than 100,000 emergency calls are made from cell phones every day. She also believes drivers should be prohibited from texting while driving because if a driver it texting, it has the same effect as if the driver were intoxicated at the legal limit.
Vagas, son of Jack and Janet Vagas, wrote in his essay that cell phone use should be restricted, not prohibited, even though they can be a distraction to drivers. By prohibiting this distraction, Vagas feels that it would set a precedent in the legal system that would open it up to prohibiting all distractions. He fears what would come next, as all distractions cannot be prohibited. He also believes texting while driving should not be allowed.
Vagas plans to attend The George Washington University in Washington, D.C., to major in International Affairs.
McGrath and Vagas were presented their awards at the Mahoning County Bar Association luncheon May 7 to cap off National Law Week.