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<\/p>\nThe interest brochure for the Harvard Mock Trial High School Seminar Program promises participants will \u201cUnlock Your Inner Mock\u201d with a variety of educational experiences in the two-day program.<\/p>\n
In November, 29 students from the Legal Studies Academy (LSA) at First Colonial High School did just that during the weekend seminar held at Harvard University in Boston.<\/p>\n
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\u201cOur LSA students were full of trepidation at the beginning of this adventure; however, they collectively worked together and gained an immense amount of knowledge regarding mock trials,\u201d said LSA coordinator Angelique Phillips.<\/p>\n
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LSA students attended six interactive lecture sessions that covered strategies in the following areas: the opening, the direct examination, the cross examination, witnesses and objections. In addition to the educational series, students applied lessons learned in breakout sessions with members of the nationally-ranked Harvard Mock Trial team to develop their own cases and prepare for a college-level scrimmage. After participating in the scrimmage\u00a0students received feedback from a Harvard Mock Trial member.<\/p>\n
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\u201cThey were transformed,\u201d said Phillips of the students\u2019 experience. \u201cThey learned how to effectively prepare for mock trials as well as how to deviate from that plan and think on their feet when needed. They left with a new found tool box and, more importantly, a sense of accomplishment and confidence.\u201d<\/p>\n