Friday students in Mr. Liu’s government class participated in the DC Circuit Court Historical Society’s Mock Court Program. They presented arguments before real federal judges on a First Amendment case. Besides teaching Chinese and Government at Washington Latin, Mr. Liu is a lawyer who previously advised senators on international policy. The annual event offers students a chance to engage in realistic dialogue with judges on policy and constitutional issues and gain personalized feedback on their performances. Latin’s history and social sciences departments prioritize public speaking, critical thinking, and the chance to engage in authentic and meaningful dialogue about history and the world around us. Students attending included seniors Lily Smeltzer, Benjamin Long, Dainius Antoine, Luca Camponovo Moya, Vivian Pittard, Janika Webb, Morgan Leary, and Jonah Spiva, and juniors Alyssa Wright, Immanuel Gebreyesus, Menkem Sium, Geovanna Diaz, and Maxwell Burton, and sophomores Akilah Jones, Jaden Davis, Jonathan Kuhn. The Government class focuses on all three branches of government and helps students understand civic engagement and America’s history.
