Brooklyn D. A. Explorers Win National Mock Trial Competition

Congratulations to Post 2350 of the Greater New York Council who were winners of the 2007 National Mock Trail Competition. This year's competition was conducted at the Chicago Bar Association in downtown Chicago.

The final round of competition was held at the John Marshall Law School. Jim Dunn, chairman of the event and of the Law and Government Committee, who stage this event annually, should be congratulated for conducting an outstanding event this year.

Explorer Posts from, Indiana, Michigan, Delaware, Massachusetts and Illinois competed and enjoyed the sites in downtown Chicago. This year's program included a trip to the Navy Pier, sampling Chicago style pizza at Edwardo's and highlighted by a trip to watch a White Sox baseball game. The hometown team even won the game which made it even more of an enjoyable evening. While the competition was fierce the Explorers enjoyed themselves during their time off. University Center was on outstanding facility to stay, more of a hotel than college dorm and the Chicago Bar Association where the competition was held was ideal. Everything was within walking distance from the dorm and made getting around a pleasure. We rode city buses to the Navy Pier and the Subway to the game and were only a couple blocks away from Michigan Avenue where a lot of site seeing took place.

Explorers had a chance to briefly experience the life of a college student in a downtown metropolitan school. It was a great experience for everyone and they all learned a lot. Wednesday night the Explorers had an opening get acquainted session that was staged like a speed dating session, which was fun for everyone. We found out there were more girls than boys but it didn't matter because the idea was to meet someone you don't know. The Chicago Post did a great job of conducting our opening for the youth. Thanks to Mary McCahill and her Explorers. Thursday night after competition, dinner was at Edwardo's a famous pizza restaurant where we enjoyed Chicago Style Pizza and later got to tour the Navy Pier a favorite tourist site. The Explorers rode rides and enjoyed the sites of Lake Michigan and downtown Chicago. Friday night was reserved for baseball or more touring if you desired. The White Sox stadium was full and it proved to be a fun night for all. Saturday was the final round of competition. The two teams of Fishers, Indiana, last year's winners, and the post from New York City competed while everyone watched. The finals was conducted at The John Marshall School of Law courtroom. The team from Brooklyn, New York is this year's winner and we congratulate them for all their hard work and effort. Saturday night at the closing banquet the winners were announced and a dance was held with a local DJ conducting the music. You should have seen them jive, even Jim Dunn our chairman put on some cool moves as did Janet Chandler a member of the committee. In all aspects, it was an outstanding event and everyone learned a lot and enjoyed themselves. It was also announced that the site next year would be the University of Massachusetts at Lowell, MA.

The following is a listing of the awards that were given at this year's National Mock Trial Competition:

Team Competition

Peggy Chestnut Team Spirit Award

Individual Awards

Witness Awards

• Click here to see photos taken at the event

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