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Features
The Georgetonian
Good thing I like reading! I’ve written many a direct examination, cross examination, opening statement and closing statement. Last semester while doing debates in Ethics, when the possibility of closing statements came up, I proceeded to write a trial worthy closing in 30 minutes. I then went ahead and asked my professor, and she confirmed that a debate closing and a trial closing were different, and we probably wouldn’t have time to do closings anyway. I’ve been known to throw legal jargon around in casual conversation and in an intense game of Mafia. Several of my online accounts, characters and plushies have been given names of witnesses since
they are written to allow any my time as a mocker, and I gender to portray them. will always be proud of my As silly as this is, Mock Mock Trial experience. Trial has actually helped me If you have any questions in more ways than one. It about Mock Trial in general, has confirmed my desire to or are interested in joining, go to law school and greatly please email me! improved my writing and reading comprehension skills. I have found great friends in my teammates and made lifelong memories at the practices and competitions. It has been a great conversation starter and even a fact I can use when I am asked during ice breakers. I don’t regret any of the headaches, tears, THE GEORGETONIAN/AIMEE HOUVENAGLE frustration, panic or stress The Georgetown Mock Trial Team of 18/19 pose after a long day of competition! I’ve experienced during
May it please the court: Mock Trial at GC By AIMEE HOUVENAGLE Staff Writer
Every Thursday night, you will most likely find me on the 3rd floor of the LRC at Mock Trial practice. This is my 7th continuous year of Mock Trial, having started as a high school freshman. If you don’t know what mock trial means, here’s a quick Crash Course: Mock Trial™. Teams of six to twelve members get a case packet containing 60+ pages of witness statements, exhibits and pre-trial documents. They also get a set of rules of evidence that one can use to object and get evidence in with and a set of guidelines for teams and competition set by the American Mock Trial Asso-
ciation (AMTA). It is then the team’s job to write material for both sides of the case, and the team(s) compete as both sides at least once during scrimmages and twice during official competitions. Mock Trial has shaped a lot of my personality and identity through school, but it has also taught me so much. Of course, there is the public speaking aspect, which is extremely useful in any profession I may choose, but there is the less glamorous side of it— a LOT of reading and writing. If you assume that each case is 60 pages each, I’ve poured over 300 pages of dense legal wording, not counting the ones I did in class that I didn’t take to competition in high school.
Grubfest brings a refreshing twist on a treasured tradition By SONDRA VERNENGO Staff Writer One of Georgetown’s most favorite traditions and NEXUS events, Grubfest, underwent a facelift this past year. Before , this was a time where freshman and upperclassmen alike were encouraged to get down and dirty (literally) with games meant to break down walls, create friendships and leave all cares (and nice clothing) behind. Gone are the mud, dirt and Cheeto Puffs we all came to know in the time-honored tradition of Grubfest. It’s no secret that Grubfest’s attendance was down in recent years as most students realized that they were not
loving the feeling of dirt of mud for months. to see the new Freshmen take all over their bodies and in Grubfest H2O was such an interest in this event.” their residence halls. a huge hit full of water Needless to say, Grubfest is The tradition, ran by games, laughs and mem- back and better than ever and Georgetown Activities Counories. Though the evening will hopefully continue to be cil, needed work or the longof the 23rd was rainy and one of the most fun and highly held tradition would be cut by cool, over 150 students attended NEXUS events on next year. were in attendance play- this campus for years to come. GAC took all problems ing games, throwing balwith Grubfest into considloons and going down eration when deciding how the slide. The weather, to make it something enjoydespite the rian, had able and something people no impact on the fun THE GEORGETONIAN/SONDRA VERNENGO want to attend. The Quad Freshman ladies loved showing their tiger spirit at Grub- had in the Quad that yard should not be torn fest H20! day since everyone up, residence hall showof their dorms again. With all was already soaked! ers should not be full of mud of this in mind, Grubfest H2O GAC President, Tatum and the Cheeto Puffs needed was born. Taking away the Wessling said, “The attento be eaten and not wasted in mud and dirt made room for dance this year has been one THE GEORGETONIAN/SONDRA VERNENGO the mud. The campus needed slip n’ slide kickball, water bal- of the best out of all of my Sondra Vernengo and Olivia Burton enjoy “floating on the quad” something fun, engaging and loons and a giant water slide. four years here at Georgeintriguing to get people out The Quad was no longer a pile town. It was really exciting
