THE COLUMBIA UNION College mock trial team will face the University of Maryland on Sunday, April 2, at 2:00pm here on the CUC campus. The competition will be held in the Weinstein Auditorium in the Science building. All all welcome.

This is the final competition for CUC's mock trial team and may prove to be their toughest challenge. The University of Maryland is a national powerhouse and has won several national champtionships in recent years. CUC has competed against schools from Ohio, California, and Flordida, but this Sunday's match marks the first 'home' contest for the team.

For much more information about the competition, contact the CUC Center for Law and Public Policy at 301-891-4572.

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THE COLUMBIA UNION College mock trial team defeated the University of Central Florida on March 19 in a mock trial held in Orlando, Florida. The win brings CUC's competition record to 2-1 with one remaining competition scheduled against the University of Maryland in April.

In the win over Central Florida, the judging panel also picked two of CUC's attorneys as the best two layers of the competition: team captain Estavanny Jimenz and Jasmine Johnson. Tyson Shaw was also named second-best witness.

CUC's victory is noteworthy given that UCF last month placed second in the Florida Gulf Regional Qualifier Mock Trial Tournament and received honorable mention in the National Intercollegiate Mock Trial Tournament. For much more information on the match against UCF, take a look at the story on CUC's website.

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THIS IS NOT your average story. It began in November with two CUC students staging a simple protest in front of the Embassy of Belarus here in Washington, DC. Let's just say it's gotten a lot bigger since then. The best way to start the story is to quote an article from Charter97.org, a political watchgroup website.

"Two students members of Poglyad, a new civil initiative that is fighting for freedom and peace in Belarus through the use of non-violent and non-confrontational civil actions, staged a peaceful action in November to coincide with the Day of Solidarity planned in Belarus to protest the imprisonment of political prisoners; the disappearance of oppositionists and their families; the censoring, impresonment, and murder of inocent journalists; and to demonstrate on behalf of all who fight for freedom and democracy in Belarus."

The students mentioned are Henry Johnson (left) and Gene Groom, both freshman at Columbia Union College. Since then several CUC students have participate in protests at the Belarus embassy. Protests have been held on the 16th of every month ever since, and this Thursday, March 16, the biggest protest to date is scheduled. Organizers are calling March 16th the "Day of Solidarity with Belarus" to remember all those who are oppressed in Belarus. Several members of Congress have agreed to participate and Henry Johnson is hoping for more than 200 people. The timing of this protest is crucial since the elections in Belarus are scheduled for March 19. Belarus is widely considered Europe's 'last dictatorship'. Although elections occur in Belarus, it is generally accepted that the results are rigged in order to keep the current president in power.

This is yet another example of the kind of thing you can't do at just any Adventist college. Henry and others are doing the kinds of work that has the potential to help bring about global change. And they're doing it right here in Washington, DC Imagine that. Not bad for a freshman in college.

There is so much more to this story. Check back from time to time for updates. For much more information about on Belarus and the upcoming elections, check out these websites.

Charter 97
Poglyad
Stories in the Washington Post
Stories in the New York Times

Photo: Two CUC Students protesting in front of the Embassy of Belarus

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THE WEEK MAY not start out well, with mid-term exams and all, but it's certainly going to end on a high note. On Thursday, students at Columbia Union College will begin their Spring Break, which runs through March 12. But no one should think that CUC shuts down operations just because it's spring break. In fact, several campus organizations are using the break to do some travling.

The CUC Acro Air team is headed to the midwest to perform at Spring Valley Academy and Mt. Vernon Academy, among other things. And the Pioneer baseball team is heading to Florida for a week long baseball tournament. The team is coming off a 4-game split with Elizabeth City University. In the final two games the Pioneers outscored Elizabeth City 24-5. Several other groups on campus are using the free week to travel and perform all up and down the east coast.

Of course, each student has his or her own plans for spring break as well, ranging from trips to Canada, skiing in New England, relaxing on the beach in North Carolina, or just catching up on some sleep at mom and dad's house. Whatever the plan, the next week will be a much deserved break for students and faculty.

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