Government Simulations and Mediation Competitions
Principians earned awards at the Model Illinois Government competition and the International Law School Mediation Championship Tournament in March. While bringing trophies back to campus is certainly satisfying, the public speaking experience and preprofessional training students gain is invaluable. They also appreciate gaining a "better understanding of our governmental system and its process," as senior Emelie Fredrikson put it.
Competing in the Historic Chambers of the State Capitol in Springfield
Model Illinois Government (MIG) competitions are legislative simulations of state government. Principia’s team members (see below) debated public policy issues on topics ranging from education and the environment to labor and commerce. “Everyone on the team pulled their weight, and Dr. [Brian] Roberts was an amazing support, providing feedback in between floor sessions and encouraging us to run for leadership roles,” says junior Leah Schaefer, whose research focused on gun control and transportation and helped her win the Outstanding House Whip Award. A political science and English double major, Leah will intern with the House Judiciary Committee in Washington, DC, this summer. “The competition provided experience with parliamentary procedure and research that goes into committee debate—all good preparation for Capitol Hill this summer,” she notes.
At the same time MIG competitions were taking place, Principia’s Moot Court team (see below) successfully participated in oral arguments before the mock state Supreme Court in the original historic chambers. The simulation, which is based on a real case before the state’s highest court, concerned reasonable suspicion and probable cause during a citizen arrest.
Seniors Connor Fiddler and Emelie Fredrikson repeated their performance from last year, earning Top Appellate Advocacy Team, and Emelie won the Best Attorney Award. “Moot court requires a lot of focus and intellect, and even after competing all four years, the process still gets intimidating,” Connor notes. “Fortunately, I had a great partner with Emelie. And the preparation, help from Professor [John] Williams, and our goal to glorify God made a great combination to win again this year.” Principians new to the team also had a strong showing. Junior Mackenzie Batten and sophomore Brittany Duke placed third, and freshmen Tara Adhikari and Lily Bermel placed fourth in Appellate Advocacy Team.
Top-10 Finish in Law School Mediation Competition
Just a week later, Principia’s mediation team traveled to Loyola University School of Law in Chicago as one of only four undergraduate teams invited to the 2018 International Law School Mediation Championship Tournament—an invitation resulting from their first-place finish in Team Advocacy at the International Intercollegiate Mediation Championship Tournament in the fall. This was the team’s fourth consecutive appearance at the law school championships.
“The entire team [see below] contributed to the standings,” says team coach Dr. Jeffrey Steele. Led by captains Connor Fiddler, a senior, and Namrata Roy, a junior, Principia earned a top-10 finish, bringing the 9th-place trophy for Team Mediation back to campus. “It was an amazing opportunity to receive advanced training, make new friends, and meet peacemakers from all around the world,” says freshman Barrett Pierce, who competed in the semifinal round.
Model Illinois Team
Hunter Hummell (freshman)
Barrett Pierce (freshman)
Chrissy Fredrikson (sophomore)
Connor D’Amico (junior)
Garrett Barner (junior)
Leah Schaefer (junior)
Moot Court Team
Tara Adhikari (freshman)
Olivia Burbee (freshman)
Lily Bermel (freshman)
Kathleen Cunningham (freshman)
Brittany Duke (sophomore)
Mackenzie Batten (junior)
Connor Fiddler (senior)
Emelie Fredrikson (senior)
Mediation Team
Hunter Hummell (freshman)
Barrett Pierce (freshman)
Brittany Duke (sophomore)
Mackenzie Batten (junior)
Lorraine Marsh (junior)
Namrata Roy (junior)
Connor Fiddler (senior)