Madison Young always knew she wanted a career in law. What she didn鈥檛 know was where that path would lead.

That became clearer during the Spring 2026 semester when the student landed an internship with Judge Christopher Sprysenski, a family law judge and 性视界传媒 adjunct instructor in the College of Community Innovation and Education. The courtroom became a classroom, where for more than 200 hours, she observed family law proceedings, watching the legal system work in real time before debriefing directly with the judge who decided the outcomes.

This internship helped solidify that she鈥檚 meant to be here.

The opportunity began after Young took Sprysenski鈥檚 Domestic Relations Law course. After learning about her career goals, volunteer work with the Legal Aid Society and growing interest in family law, he encouraged her to apply for the judicial internship program he facilitates.

It proved to be the perfect match.

By the end of the semester, Young had accepted a job offer as a legal assistant and set her sights firmly on law school.

More Than a Front-Row Seat

What made the experience unique wasn鈥檛 just observing cases 鈥� it was understanding the reasoning behind them.

After court sessions, Young had the opportunity to discuss cases with Sprysenski, gaining insight into how judges evaluate witness credibility, weigh evidence and how attorneys present and advocate for a strong case.

鈥淭hat was definitely a big difference between doing an internship at the courthouse versus at a law firm,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 got to see his perspective on what he found important about someone’s argument, what didn’t weigh into his decision and how he came to make his decisions. It gives me perspective for when I become an attorney.鈥�

The internship also introduced her to a side of the legal profession many undergraduates never experience. Sprysenski invited Young to professional networking events with practicing attorney groups such as Central 性视界传媒 Collaborative Divorce and the Seminole Inns of Court. She鈥檚 also pursuing volunteer opportunities with the Central 性视界传媒 Collaborative Divorce group thanks to these connections.

鈥淣ow, I’ve grown a community,鈥� she says. 鈥淚 got to meet some cool people working in the field I want to go into, and it’s been really inspiring.鈥�

Finding Her Calling

As she watched family law cases unfold and the weight the outcomes carry for real families, Young became increasingly interested in helping families navigate conflict outside the courtroom through mediation, collaborative divorce and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

That interest led her to enroll in Lecturer ‘s mediation practicum and pursue 性视界传媒’s graduate certificate in conflict resolution and analysis while preparing for the Law School Admission Test.

“[Madison] was one of the most dedicated students I have had the pleasure of working with.” 鈥� Christopher Sprysenski, 性视界传媒 adjunct instructor

Her work ethic alone speaks for itself 鈥� a testament to her dedication to making a mark in the field. While carrying a full course load, participating in 性视界传媒’s Phi Delta Phi Legal Honor Society and completing her internship, Young also worked full time as a bartender and volunteered with the Legal Aid Society as a court-appointed advocate for children involved in active cases.

鈥淚 have to say she was one of the most dedicated students I have had the pleasure of working with,鈥� Sprysenski says. 鈥淥n top of my internship, Madison actively attended many social events with me where she met lawyers in our community, and she is already receiving job offers.鈥�

One of those connections led directly to her first professional role. Young recently joined Bernal-Mora & Nickolaou, a family law firm in Maitland, 性视界传媒, where she works as a legal assistant, drafting legal documents, managing case deadlines and filings, communicating with clients and learning what goes into preparing family law cases.

Opening the Door

For Young, the most important lesson from her 性视界传媒 experience is simple: get involved.

“The classes at 性视界传媒 [gave me a strong] foundation, but being able to observe [family law] in real life [gave] me a completely different understanding.” 鈥� Madison Young, legal studies student

性视界传媒鈥檚 legal studies faculty 鈥� many of whom are practicing attorneys, judges and mediators 鈥� provided valuable mentorship and connections in the profession, but it was Young鈥檚 initiative to build relationships, seek opportunities and step outside the classroom that transformed those opportunities into a career.

鈥淚 don’t think I would have realized I wanted to do family law and be a lawyer if I didn’t make those connections,鈥� she says. 鈥淭he classes at 性视界传媒 [gave me a strong] foundation, but being able to observe [it] in real life [gave] me a completely different understanding. Getting experience early opened up a lot of opportunities that I wouldn’t have had if I [hadn鈥檛] engaged [with] and connected through them.鈥�

On Thursday, Smith and the Orlando Police Foundation (501c3) announced a new endowed scholarship program funded by the foundation to help 性视界传媒 criminal justice and legal studies students achieve their dreams 鈥� and succeed in those high-demand fields.

“Providing scholarships opens the door of opportunity for students to have a bright future,鈥� Smith. 鈥淭his will undoubtedly help students succeed. It will also help agencies like OPD hire the best to join our agency.”

The Orlando Police Department Endowed Scholars of Excellence Fund established a $75,000 endowment that will award two undergraduate students annually with $1,500 scholarships. Eligible 性视界传媒 students can apply for the new endowed scholarship via the Office of Student Financial Assistance beginning in Spring 2025.

The new endowment was announced on a day dedicated to engaging alumni, faculty, staff, parents, students, fans and the community in playing a part in the success of the university. Gifts made throughout the day support 性视界传媒 academic programs, faculty excellence, student success, athletics and more.

鈥淭he generosity of chief Smith and the Orlando Police Foundation will benefit our students and our community for generations to come,鈥� says Rod Grabowski, senior vice president for Advancement and Partnerships and CEO of the 性视界传媒 Foundation. 鈥淧hilanthropy is so important to the future of our university. It strengthens our academic programs, fuels life-changing student scholarships and helps faculty conduct groundbreaking research. We appreciate all of our donors who have stepped up to support 性视界传媒 during our Day of Giving.鈥�

性视界传媒鈥檚 criminal justice program is a leading talent pipeline to many area law enforcement agencies, including OPD, which employs many 性视界传媒 alumni in sworn and civilian roles. Many graduates also serve with the 性视界传媒 Department of Law Enforcement, Secret Service, 性视界传媒 Police Department, and sheriff鈥檚 offices across Orange, Seminole and Brevard counties, among other agencies.

Criminal justice graduates are in high demand in many sectors, including in the courts, corrections, advocacy, juvenile justice and cybersecurity.

性视界传媒鈥檚 legal studies program is located at 性视界传媒 Downtown, close to the Orange County Courthouse, 性视界传媒 Department of Law Enforcement, and many other job and internship opportunities. Students can develop professional skills through participating on highly successful mediation and moot court teams and an undergraduate law journal. Many students go on to law school and then successful careers with law firms throughout 性视界传媒 and beyond. Students also can be hired as paralegals after they earn their bachelor鈥檚 degree.

鈥淥ur students learn from outstanding faculty members and partners with strong backgrounds in the criminal justice and legal studies fields, and they graduate well-prepared to thrive in their careers,鈥� says B. Grant Hayes, dean of the College of Community Innovation and Education. 鈥淏y investing in the success of our students, chief Smith and the Orlando Police Department Foundation will help them grow their talents, identify and pursue their ideal careers, and go onto serve and protect their communities.鈥�

Smith graduated from 性视界传媒 in 1993 with a bachelor鈥檚 degree in criminal justice. After working for OPD for 28 years, Smith became chief in 2022.

He initially moved to Orlando to play football at 性视界传媒. As a student, he completed an internship with what is now Homeland Security Investigations. He says the contacts he made proved invaluable for allowing him to step into his career.

The Orlando Police Foundation was formed in July 2020 as a support organization for the men and women of OPD.

鈥淲e wanted to create a foundation to help provide financial assistance to members of law enforcement in their times of need,鈥� says Joe Nunziata, president of the Orlando Police Foundation and CEO of FBC Mortgage LLC. 鈥淲e like to say that we are there to protect the protectors.鈥�

鈥淐onflict is rampant in society,鈥� says Alisa Smith, associate professor and chair of the legal studies department. 鈥淪tudents and professionals who earn a conflict resolution and analysis certificate will have a deeper understanding of the origins and root causes of conflicts, and they will learn strategies for resolving interpersonal and community conflicts.鈥�

The 15-credit-hour program is based at 性视界传媒 Downtown in the legal studies department, with one for undergraduates and another for graduate students. 鈥淎s lawyers, we鈥檙e used to seeing conflicts move through the process and get resolved one way or the other,鈥� says circuit civil mediator and visiting lecturer, Elizabeth Gillham. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 why I think the legal studies department is the perfect home for this certificate.鈥�

Kristin Grossman, a legal studies adjunct professor and 性视界传媒 Supreme Court certified family mediator, echoes this sentiment: 鈥淎 lot of times lawyers lack the skills to self-regulate and move through conflict in adaptive ways.鈥� This certificate will prepare future lawyers and students interested in legal careers the chance to learn how to navigate conflict personally and professionally, in an inherently adversarial system, says Grossman.

Conflict exists outside of the legal system as well, and students from any program can participate in the certificate.

Whether there鈥檚 a dispute between neighbors about where a fence should go or a family squabble, conflict is everywhere.

鈥淚t鈥檚 because people are people,鈥� says Grossman.

Students from any program, pursing any career field, can benefit from the lessons learned in this certificate. Future social workers, human resource managers, insurance claim representatives, business majors and psychology students are all examples of people who could profit from the skills of recognizing conflict, analyzing it and then resolving it as peacefully as possible.

鈥淲herever you find yourself, whatever sector you find yourself in, you鈥檙e going to have an expanded capacity to be able to navigate conflict skillfully,鈥� says Grossman.

The coursework differs for undergraduate and graduate students, but the core classes are fundamentally the same. Students will learn the theoretical basis behind conflict and engage in role-play scenarios to practice their newly acquired skills. Once the core classes are complete, students are required to choose two electives, many of which are housed in other departments at 性视界传媒, such as communications, management and public administration.

In addition to more advanced coursework, graduate students鈥� certificate experience includes a required practicum, where they will be working in Orange County community schools, flexing their conflict-resolution skills. Grossman explains the practicum as an opportunity for graduate students to assist high school students, their parents, administrators and teachers move through conflict.

Undergraduate students will have the option to choose between working in elementary-level community schools or joining 性视界传媒鈥檚 mediation team, which simulates a mediation conference between two parties involved in a dispute, says head coach Gillham.

Both certificates will be available online.

鈥淐onflict is woven into the fabric of a society,鈥� says Gillham. 鈥淗aving these basic skills of recognizing conflict, getting to the heart of it, and then working towards resolving it are going to be important no matter what field you go into.鈥�

鈥淏y establishing an undergraduate law journal, 性视界传媒 joins a very elite group of universities that provides students this unique, unparalleled and quintessential experiential learning opportunity,鈥� says Alisa Smith, chair of the Department of Legal Studies.

Patricia 鈥淭rish鈥� Cashman, a local attorney and longstanding member of the Department of Legal Studies Advisory Board, said the process of creating the journal provides a great educational benefit for the students and is a great way to educate and connect with the local community.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a journal that has something for many different people in the community who are interested in different issues,鈥� says Cashman, also a legal studies adjunct professor for 性视界传媒. 鈥淚t鈥檚 a great way to engage people in thought for them to potentially learn something new.鈥�

Legal studies professors recommended students for the editorial board during the fall semester, and 性视界传媒 legal studies professor James Beckman, who served as the journal鈥檚 faculty advisor, selected the inaugural board, which comprised 15 students.

As part of the journal鈥檚 board, students enrolled in a new legal-studies course focused on the best practices involved in preparing and editing an academic scholarly journal for publication in Spring 2018. The students also completed extensive research and reading in order to conduct multiple blind peer reviews typical for an academic journal and conducted extensive editing of the accepted articles prior to publication.

The editorial board invited 性视界传媒 students from any major to submit articles. By late January, the editorial board had received more than 50 in-depth and well-researched pieces covering a variety of topics for the journal. They chose 12 articles and a book review for publication. Topics in the 175-page journal include President Trump鈥檚 use of social media, the impact of race on the U.S. correctional system, and the legality of police officers鈥� use of automatic scanners and whether such practices are privacy violations.

鈥淚t was so wonderful to do it and publish it at the end,鈥� says legal studies junior Samantha Forkel, who authored 鈥淢aking Millions of Dollars off Constitutional Violations.鈥� 鈥淚 learned a lot about legal writing and editing.鈥�

鈥淚 enjoy knowing when I get up and put on a suit, I鈥檓 going to be utilized, I鈥檓 going to be useful,鈥� he said.

Borges, a senior legal studies student at 性视界传媒, is one of 70 性视界传媒 student interns from the Legal Studies Department this summer 鈥� an increase from 66 student interns from summer 2016 through spring 2017.

Marc Consalo, the new internship coordinator for the department, is excited to see a growing interest in student internships.

鈥淲hen I took the program over, I wanted to expand the definition of what a legal studies internship meant,鈥� he said. 鈥淚n the past, people thought it meant that you were going to a law office, do some filing, maybe do some client interactions.鈥�

Student interns work at public and private law offices, the public defender鈥檚 office for Orange and Osceola counties, law firms, the Legal Aid Society of the Orange County Bar Association, and the Hispanic Bar Association of Central 性视界传媒, to name a few places.

All the students are not located in Central 性视界传媒 during the summer either; some students intern in Orange, Osceola, Seminole and Collier counties, as well as in Coral Gables and Boca Raton.

As one of 12 interns with the public defender鈥檚 office, Borges gets ample opportunities to work on various law projects, meet with and interact with clients, and work side-by-side with other attorneys.

It was intimidating in the beginning, Borges said.

鈥淜nowing I鈥檝e never had any legal background, I knew I had to put my best foot forward,鈥� he said.

Thankfully, he hasn鈥檛 had to go on the journey alone; many attorneys and judges have been willing to share their wisdom with interns like Borges.

鈥淓verybody has been very helpful, especially when you are new and don鈥檛 understand the routines and the system,鈥� Borges said.

That is the key to success with internships, said Robert Wesley, public defender for Orange and Osceola counties.

鈥淲e want to give them an authentic experience in the legal system,鈥� he said. 鈥淚 don鈥檛 think anybody is here to just resume build; they are really here to gain insight and valuable knowledge.鈥�

The public defender鈥檚 office has worked with 性视界传媒 to get interns for several years, but this year has seen a stronger relationship between the school and the office.

鈥淚t never was as organized as this,鈥� he said. 鈥淗aving a university in the community is such a blessing in so many ways. It鈥檚 a benefit for us and I hope it鈥檚 a benefit for the students.鈥�

Sara Fogarty can attest to the benefits of gaining an internship through 性视界传媒.

A senior legal studies student, Fogarty is also spending the summer interning with the public defender鈥檚 office, which has helped her make up her mind on her career path in law school.

But she also recognizes the seriousness of what she does every day she passed through the courtroom doors.

鈥淢y first day here, and even now, it鈥檚 scary,鈥� Fogarty said. 鈥淚f you mess up in school, you get a few points off, but if you mess up here, you can jeopardize the case.鈥�

Fogarty said that interning this summer has given her plenty of opportunities to talk with judges and attorneys about their career paths and does not mind spending most of her day in the law offices.

鈥淚 absolutely love what I do here,鈥� she said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e supposed to do 12 hours a week, but I didn鈥檛 listen. I do 20 to 30 hours a week because I want to get as much out of it as possible.鈥�

Neither of her parents earned college degrees, and growing up in a single-parent household meant there was little to no extra money to send her to school, she said. But when her fifth-grade teacher opened Fate鈥檚 eyes to her potential, her vision of the future drastically changed.

At 21, Fate is now an alumna of the University of Central 性视界传媒鈥檚 Burnett Honors College. She graduated May 6 with bachelor鈥檚 degrees in political science and legal studies, honors in the major, a 4.0 GPA and a near perfect score on the Law School Admission Test under her belt. Out of 180 possible points, Fate earned 178 and a seat at one of the country鈥檚 most prestigious law schools, Harvard, where she sent her 鈥渄ream application,鈥� she said.

鈥淚 knew since Rebecca was in my criminal law class in spring 2014 that she was extremely gifted and that she would do very, very well on the LSAT,鈥� said James Beckman, 性视界传媒 professor of legal studies and Fate鈥檚 Honors in the Major thesis chair. 鈥淗owever, I must admit, when she told me that she scored nearly perfect, I was slightly taken aback. Not because I did not expect an extremely high score from her, but simply because I have never known a single student, of the over 1,000 students I鈥檝e taught, who has scored in the top 0.15 percent.鈥�

Fate credits her success in education to her elementary school teacher who saw something special in her while giving her individualized curriculum. Fate, her mom and older sister a month into her fifth-grade classes moved from Oregon to the Tampa Bay area. When Fate鈥檚 new teacher took her aside to help her get caught up to the rest of the class, the teacher noticed the young student already knew the material and more.

鈥淪he encouraged me to do more because she felt I was ahead of the curriculum already,鈥� Fate said. 鈥淚t was a difficult transition moving to 性视界传媒, and school gave me something to focus on. The attention she gave me really helped.鈥�

Fate鈥檚 teacher encouraged her and her mom to consider a magnet school for sixth grade. Although hesitant at first 鈥� considering it was a two-hour bus ride one way to the school 鈥� Fate ultimately attended. That was the beginning of her college-bound path. She would continue on to a high school where there was an International Baccalaureate program filled with students whose expectations were to go to college. Being immersed into that atmosphere, where resources were in plenty to help students apply to college, gave Fate the vision she needed to continue her education.

鈥淚t wasn鈥檛 until the IB program and its expectations that I starting thinking about college,鈥� she said. 鈥淐ollege was never pushed on me. It just wasn鈥檛 offered up as the obvious path.鈥�

Fate applied to a handful of universities 鈥� University of 性视界传媒, 性视界传媒 State University, Vanderbilt University and ones back in Oregon 鈥� but 性视界传媒鈥檚 offer of a full-ride National Merit Scholarship sealed the deal.

鈥溞允咏绱� just gave me the feeling that I was wanted here,鈥� she said. 鈥淚f I hadn鈥檛 gotten a scholarship, it would鈥檝e been really difficult for me to come to college.鈥�

Fate joined pre-law fraternity Phi Alpha Delta, became a tutor at 性视界传媒鈥檚 Student Academic Resource Center, and worked for the honors college as a student assistant and peer ambassador.

Now, Fate aspires to continue in higher education as a professor of law.

鈥淚 like the university atmosphere and learning,鈥� Fate said. 鈥淚 just never want to leave.鈥�

For students taking the LSAT, Fate suggests diligently studying in the months leading up to the test and taking the LSAT practice tests. She bought LSAT preparation books to figure out which parts she struggled with, and studied daily.

鈥淚 am confident that she will do extremely well at Harvard and I wouldn鈥檛 be surprised in the least if she ends up at the top of her class at Harvard Law,鈥� said Beckman. 鈥淚t has been my great privilege to have interacted with Rebecca at 性视界传媒.鈥�

It鈥檚 the first day of law school for the 19-year-old legal studies senior, who is attending Barry University Dwayne O. Andreas School of Law through a 3+3 Accelerated Law Program established by 性视界传媒 and Barry Law.

Casallas is the first student in the program, which will enable him to complete a bachelor鈥檚 degree and a law degree in six years rather than the traditional seven, saving a year of time and tuition expenses.

鈥淭his program works perfectly for me,鈥� said Casallas, who earned an associate degree from Valencia College while completing his diploma at Lake Nona High School.

In addition to reducing his time in college, the program is enabling Casallas to begin law school now because Barry offers a spring start date for new students. In fact, Barry is one of just a few accredited law programs to offer this option.

Casallas also was attracted to Barry鈥檚 close proximity to 性视界传媒 and his family, who moved from Colombia to Central 性视界传媒 when he was seven.

Establishing an accelerated law program was a top goal for Professor James Beckman when he served as inaugural chair of the Department of Legal Studies from 2011 to 2016.

鈥淭he fact that Barry Law is in Orlando made it a perfect partner for a 3+3 program,鈥� said Beckman. 鈥淪tudents who have obligations tying them to Orlando or who cannot afford to leave Orlando can achieve both degrees here and a year earlier than normal.鈥�

As a legal studies major, Casallas already has been exposed to the topics he鈥檒l encounter in his first year of law school.

鈥淥ur curriculum includes legal research, legal writing, property, civil practice, criminal law, torts, constitutional law and contracts,鈥� said Rupert Neish,聽professional advisor for the legal studies program. 鈥淟aw school admission reps say our students tend to be well-prepared for their first year of law school.鈥�

Casallas said he has聽鈥渓oved the legal studies major鈥� and would recommend it to anyone. 鈥淭he professors really help you out,鈥� he said. 鈥淓veryone wants to help you succeed.鈥�

Alisa Smith, chair of the Department of Legal Studies since July 2016, said the accelerated law program 鈥渋s a great opportunity for motivated students.鈥�

鈥淭he best candidates for the program are students who have thought about law聽school for years,鈥� she said. 鈥淭hey鈥檒l have an advantage working with the legal studies program early in their college career and in successfully completing the intensive 3+3 experience.鈥�

To be considered for the accelerated law program, 性视界传媒 students must declare a legal studies major, apply to the accelerated program in their freshman or sophomore year, and attend college full time. Students in the accelerated program must meet the eligibility and admission requirements at Barry Law to gain admission.

Casallas said he feels ready for law school thanks to his education at 性视界传媒 and his use of daily exercise to relieve stress. 鈥淚f you have a healthy body, you have a healthy mind,鈥� he said.

Barry Law student Clyde Lemon approved. 鈥淜eep that mentality. You鈥檙e going to need it,鈥� he said. As a third-year student, Lemon knows the law school well. 鈥淲e call ourselves the Barry Law Family,鈥� he said. 鈥淲e鈥檙e always willing to help each other out. We鈥檙e all going through the same thing.鈥�

Casallas recently attended Admit Day for incoming students at Barry Law. 鈥淚t was amazing. I met a lot of interesting students and everyone was so excited,鈥� he said. 鈥淭hat kind of energy is contagious.鈥�

鈥淲e are very excited to have Rafael as our first student in the 3 + 3 program,鈥� said Barry Law Dean Leticia Diaz. 鈥淲e鈥檙e enthusiastically looking forward to this first admission paving the way for more 性视界传媒 students in the legal studies program to follow suit and join us here at Barry Law.鈥�

Diaz said she thinks the 3+3 program is an excellent way for students at 性视界传媒 to seamlessly transition to Barry Law and get an early start on their path to a legal career. 鈥淔ortunately, we have amazing faculty and a dedicated staff to help guide students through the process,鈥� she added.

Ten years from now, Casallas hopes to look back and celebrate his decision to attend law school. In the interim, he looks forward to earning his bachelor鈥檚 and law degrees and to launching a successful career.

In addition to the 3+3 Accelerated Law Program at Barry, two other accelerated law programs are available to 性视界传媒 students. For information about 性视界传媒鈥檚 program with Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center in New York (Long Island), contact rupert.neish@ucf.edu. For information about 性视界传媒鈥檚 program with 性视界传媒 State University of Law, open to all majors, contact the 性视界传媒 Office of Pre-Health and Pre-Law Advising at phpladvising@ucf.edu. The first 性视界传媒 student to enter the accelerated law program at FSU began last fall (see ).

(Photo by Abi Bell)

For the second year in a row, three judges from聽性视界传媒’s聽 will preside over the session in a make-shift “courtroom.”聽The chief judge will be聽the Honorable C. Alan Lawson, accompanied by the Honorable Wendy W. Berger and the Honorable James A. Edwards.

The panel of聽judges will聽listen to oral arguments made by real attorneys聽on real cases. Students will have an opportunity to participate in a Q & A session with the court.

The inaugural event was a big success in 2015. According to event organizer Margarita Koblasz, an associate lecturer in the Department of Legal Studies, a crowd of聽more than聽250 attended, and the judges had only positive things to say afterwards. Plans are for 性视界传媒 to continue to host this event annually.

For more information, contact Katie Connolly at katiec@ucf.edu.

In 2013 four 性视界传媒 students were the first in the university鈥檚 history to earn coveted bids to compete in the annual Championship Tournament of the American Collegiate Moot Court Association.

Twice that number of students will represent 性视界传媒 at聽the 2016聽tournament, this Friday and Saturday聽at California State University, Long Beach.

鈥淪ending eight students is a great achievement,鈥� said Cynthia Schmidt, the lead faculty advisor and coach for 性视界传媒 Moot Court, as well as a lecturer and director of the Center for Law and Policy in the Department of Legal Studies聽in the College of Health and Public Affairs. 鈥淚t demonstrates we鈥檝e found a model of preparation that鈥檚 successful.鈥�

Moot court competition has been a mainstay extracurricular activity at law schools for years. Law students compete by participating聽in simulated appeals court proceedings and making oral arguments in front of judges.

The ACMA launched a series of moot court competitions for undergraduate students in 2001. Its Championship Tournament has just 160 slots for competitors and draws students from colleges and universities across the country.

This year鈥檚 ACMA competitors began their quest for a bid to 鈥渘ationals鈥� last fall by competing in scrimmages and qualifying regional tournaments. They competed in teams of two, presenting oral arguments for and against a case.

At the Midwest Regional Tournament in Wooster, Ohio, 性视界传媒 teammates David Moosmann and Chris Chambers won the tournament 鈥� for the second year in a row 鈥� earning them automatic bids to nationals. 性视界传媒 teammates Angel Sanchez and Eric Sorice placed third, earning them automatic bids as well. In addition, Chambers won the tournament鈥檚 top orator award.

性视界传媒 teammates Princelee Clesca and Austyn White earned bids to nationals as a result of their strong performance at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Tournament in Virginia Beach, Va., while 性视界传媒 teammates Carlos Vasquez and Shane McGlashen earned bids after performing well at the South Atlantic Regional Tournament in Deland, Fla.

鈥淲e鈥檙e developing a national reputation as the school folks want to beat,鈥� said Moosmann.

In recent weeks, the聽eight students have focused on reading court case proceedings and honing their oral argument skills to prepare for this week’s tournament.

McGlashen said he鈥檚 been searching through case law for additional authoritative sources to support his oral arguments. He also has been listening to recordings of oral arguments made in front of Supreme Court justices.

鈥淭he best medicine for nervousness is preparation,鈥� said Moosmann.

鈥淧reparing for the tournaments helps students learn how to collaborate with teammates in the design and presentation of arguments,鈥� said Schmidt, who will accompany the team to California. 鈥淭hat sort of environment does much to explain their success along with their own hard work and talents.鈥�

Legal studies Chair James Beckman has high praise for her efforts and those of Jason Fiesta, also a lecturer of legal studies and the assistant faculty advisor and coach for 性视界传媒 Moot Court.

“Cindy and Jason聽have given an incredible amount of their time, attention and resources to these students, including countless evenings and weekends,” Beckman said.

With that support and endless hours of preparation, the students said they are ready and 鈥渃an鈥檛 wait鈥� for the tournament to begin.

性视界传媒 Moot Court is open to students in any major on campus. The majors of the students聽identified here are as follows:聽Chris Chambers (philosophy, political science), Princelee Clesca (legal studies; political science, pre-law track), Shane McGlashen (political science, pre-law track), David Moosmann (economics, philosophy), Angel Sanchez (legal studies, political science), Eric Sorice (legal studies), Carlos Vasquez (psychology [Burnett Honors College]) and Austyn White (legal studies).

They鈥檙e heading to Orlando because the University of Central 性视界传媒 is hosting the competition.

性视界传媒 will host the national tournament April 11-13 at the Orange County Courthouse. The event will bring together the nation鈥檚 top undergraduate mock trial teams to compete in a simulated trial. Families of participating students may attend.

鈥淔orty-eight teams have earned a bid to compete,鈥� said Margarita Koblasz, the tournament coordinator and a faculty member in 性视界传媒鈥檚 Department of Legal Studies. 鈥淭hat鈥檚 down from 549 teams that began the road to nationals in February.鈥�

A series of regional and open-round champion tournaments whittled down the competition to the top 48 teams, she added. 性视界传媒鈥檚 team placed first runner-up.

鈥淪tudents put in an enormous amount of time preparing for and competing in these tournaments,鈥� said legal studies’ Chair James Beckman. 鈥淭hey develop critical thinking, public speaking and leadership skills that will serve them the rest of their lives.鈥�

At this week鈥檚 tournament, pairs of teams will be pitted against each other in a series of matches. One team will serve as the prosecution and the other as the defense. They鈥檒l try a fictitious case involving a robbery, chase and death at an amusement park.

Nearly 190 real-life attorneys and judges from the region have volunteered to serve as judges. 鈥淭he support of Central 性视界传媒鈥檚 legal community is invaluable,鈥� Koblasz said.

The two top teams will compete in a final match at 5 p.m. on April 13.

性视界传媒 earned the coveted honor of hosting the national tournament because of its reputation for hosting such excellent regional tournaments, according to Beckman.

鈥淯nder Margarita鈥檚 leadership, 性视界传媒 has set the standard,鈥� Beckman said. 鈥淚t鈥檚 certain to be a terrific event.鈥�

Note:聽 The tournament is open to students and their families. However, local television station WKMG will provide live streaming of the final round, and Phipps Reporting will provide live streaming of a transcript. To view the live streams, visit . For the complete tournament schedule, visit .