March 27, 2019 - Issue: Vol. 165, No. 53 — Daily Edition116th Congress (2019 - 2020) - 1st Session

[Page H2877]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING LAKELAND CHRISTIAN SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAM

  (Mr. SPANO asked and was given permission to address the House for 1 
minute and to revise and extend his remarks.)
  Mr. SPANO. Madam Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Lakeland 
Christian School Mock Trial team for winning second place in the 
Florida High School Mock Trial Competition.
  The team previously won first place in regionals and went on to win 
not only second place among all teams in Florida but also the Stephen 
Shenkman Professionalism Award and the Best Attorney award, which was 
granted to Abby Branham.
  In addition to Abby, the team included Ama Fosu, Annie Bolter, Trent 
Curtis, Keaton Walding, Jace Gravitt, Faith Nagy, Emily Branham, Lucy 
Bolter, Seth Martinez, Tag Hunt, Riley Rhoden, Carter Sawicki, Haley 
Caylor, and Aline Peek.
  These students dedicated many hours of hard work and preparation to 
learn the facts of their case and present them thoughtfully in the 
competition. I am confident the knowledge they gained will help them 
become active members of our community in college and beyond.
  Their success comes not only from their own hard work but also from 
the mentors who guided them through the process. The talented students 
were coached by Chasity Branham, professor of criminal justice at Polk 
State College, and Judge Melissa Gravitt, who recently assumed the 
bench for Florida's 10th Judicial Circuit.
  These women took many hours out of their busy schedules to impart 
their passion for justice to these students. I appreciate all that they 
do. Our next generation is made better by their service.

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