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R E S O L U T I O N
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WHEREAS, The mock trial team from Covenant Classical School |
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in Fort Worth won first place at the 2023 Texas High School Mock |
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Trial Competition; and |
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WHEREAS, Administered by the Dallas Bar Association Mock |
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Trial Committee, the competition was established in 1979 to deepen |
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knowledge of the courtroom environment among students interested in |
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careers as lawyers, public speakers, and politicians; the exercise |
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shows how the legal system works in everyday life while encouraging |
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critical thinking and quick analysis; and |
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WHEREAS, More than 20 high school teams from across the state |
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participated in this year's competition, arguing a hypothetical |
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criminal case; judges and attorneys performed the role of jurors, |
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and students portrayed a variety of trial participants, from |
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defense or prosecution attorneys to witnesses; and |
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WHEREAS, Competitors were evaluated on the basis of |
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preparation and presentation; in addition to the first-place |
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trophy, the Covenant Classical team received the Team |
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Professionalism Award, conferred by their peers; individual honors |
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were garnered by senior Sophia Foster, named Outstanding Advocate, |
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and senior Jonathan Fredricks, who received honorable mention in |
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the Best Advocate and Best Witness categories; the team further |
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included Emerson Espanet, Elizabeth Farah, Nancy Jageman, Bridgett |
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Kennedy, Daniel Keyes, Ellie Monwai, Sachi Monwai, Gracie Patel, |
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Emma Pharris, Nate Smith, and Claire Tollefson; they benefited from |
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able guidance of coordinators Scott Fredricks, an attorney, and |
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Judge Josh Burgess; and |
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WHEREAS, Before advancing to the state competition, the team |
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took home top honors at the regional level for the sixth consecutive |
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year; the members are now set to represent Texas at the 2023 |
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National High School Mock Trial Competition in Little Rock, |
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Arkansas, in May; and |
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WHEREAS, The members of the Covenant Classical School mock |
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trial team have demonstrated exceptional dedication and a true |
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commitment to excellence, and their accomplishments are a source of |
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great pride to their families, their school, and their community; |
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now, therefore, be it |
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RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 88th Texas |
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Legislature hereby congratulate the Covenant Classical School mock |
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trial team on winning first place at the 2023 Texas High School Mock |
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Trial Competition and extend to the members sincere best wishes for |
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continued success; and, be it further |
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RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be |
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prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas |
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House of Representatives. |
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Goldman |
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______________________________ |
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Speaker of the House |
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I certify that H.R. No. 1197 was adopted by the House on April |
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28, 2023, by a non-record vote. |
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______________________________ |
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Chief Clerk of the House |
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