Briggs names student winner in ‘There Ought to be a Law’ contest

KING OF PRUSSIA, May 27 – State Rep. Tim Briggs announced the winner of his 11th annual “There Ought to be a Law” contest, which drew 500 entries from area fifth-grade students.

The annual contest challenges fifth-graders to write an essay about a law they think would make their school, community or state a better place.

“I sponsor this contest each year to spark an interest in government for students, and I’m always impressed with the creativity and quality of the entries. With these compassionate and intelligent students in our community, our future looks bright,” said Briggs, D-Montgomery.

The winner of this year’s contest is Bella McPherson from Upper Merion Area Middle School, who proposed to have schools use all-natural cleaning products instead of harmful chemicals.

The winner of this contest is typically invited to visit the Capitol and be recognized by the House of Representatives. With the Capitol currently closed to visitors because of COVID-19, the visit will take place later in the year or alternate arrangements will be made.

In addition to the winner, the following students were named finalists in the contest:

Cecilia Peterson - Penn Wynne Elementary School.
Tuvya Gross - Caskey Torah Academy.
Vivienne Kwait – Gladwyne Elementary School.
Maya Gavrin - Gladwyne Elementary School.
Rachel Gavrin - Gladwyne Elementary School.

Chananya Halpern – Caskey Torah Academy.
Maximilian Niescior - Penn Valley Elementary School.
Lucie Jiang - Penn Valley Elementary School.
Julia Prosnitz - Penn Valley Elementary School.
Peter Beh - Penn Valley Elementary School.
Alexandria Confino – Upper Merion Area Middle School.
Anja Montich – Upper Merion Area Middle School.
Ava Santonastasi – Upper Merion Area Middle School.
Sheridan Zeiss – Upper Merion Area Middle School.
Alyssa Hill- Upper Merion Area Middle School.
Mia Mobley - Mother Teresa Regional Catholic School.

Finalists will receive citations, and all students who participated will receive certificates or honorable mention awards when in-person classes resume.