On October 6, 2020, the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals announced the winners of the inaugural Sixth Circuit 2020 Student Essay Contest. The United States District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee is delighted to report that Aden Barton, a recent graduate from Montgomery Bell Academy in Nashville, Tennessee, is one of three award recipients.

Aden is a Freshman at Harvard College with plans to major in either economics or social studies. He is a member of the Harvard policy debate team and an analyst at the Harvard College Consulting Club.

Chief Judge Waverly D. Crenshaw, Jr., on behalf of all of the Judges, has extended to Aden and his family the Court’s congratulations on his success and is planning a virtual celebration of his accomplishment.

Aden’s winning essay, Civic Education: A Modern Necessity, is attached to this notice. Additional information regarding the Essay Contest and other contest winners, can be accessed via this web link: https://connections.ca6.uscourts.gov/sites/default/files/2020-essay/2020-Essay-Contest-Winners.pdf

Montgomery Bell Academy Headmaster Bradford Gioia described Aden as “one of the most remarkable students, people, and citizens I have known in my 27 years as Headmaster of MBA. Not only was he a stunning student and the number one debater in the country last year but also, he was universally admired by his classmates for his goodness and humanity. I taught Aden and was privileged to know and to work with him.”

Students from Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio and Tennessee were invited to participate in the inaugural Sixth Circuit 2020 Student Essay Contest, an educational outreach effort for high school junior and seniors sponsored by the Sixth Circuit Civics and Outreach Committee. The contest invited students to submit an original essay within the theme of “The Role of Civics Education in Protecting the Rule of Law.”