ORU delegation keeps winning streak going
By Matthew Fenton

Members of the ORU delegation for the Oklahoma Intercollegiate Legislature (OIL) recently competed in the fall session in Oklahoma City. The ORU delegation finished well, once again claiming the title of best overall delegation, as well as first runner-up for best delegation in the Senate and second runner-up for best delegation in the House of Representatives.

Several ORU students won individual awards for their participation. Sophomore Foster Lasley won best freshman in the House of Representatives, while junior Julie Hutto won best freshman in the Senate. Sophomore Daniel Rodriguez won first runner-up for best delegate in the Senate.

Sophomore Robert Lavvorn won best legislation for his bill on the prohibition of psychiatric drugs. Junior Paul Washburn was appointed to the position of Supreme Court Justice.

Twice a year almost 300 college students from approximately 17 Oklahoma colleges and universities participate in the mock legislature.

Former Oklahoma Governor George Nigh created OIL in 1967 to teach college students about Oklahoma's state government. The organization takes great care to closely model itself after Oklahoma's state government. The delegates use the State Capitol Building, which includes the House, Senate and Supreme Court chambers.

In the legislature students sit at the desks of the real senators and representatives. Delegates elect all of the governing officials, which include the Speaker of the House and President Pro Tempore of the Senate.

Delegates write mock legislation on issues ranging from euthanasia to abolishing the letter "C" from the alphabet. This legislation goes through the formal bill process, which includes committees, debates, votes and signature or veto by the governor. OIL serves as a great hands-on organization for students wishing to learn the legislative process.

Students participating in the Moot Court competition are given a case and then told to take positions either defending or prosecuting the case. Students argue their cases in the Oklahoma Supreme Court in front of appointed Court Justices. Delegates can participate in the legislature, the court or both.

ORU's delegation this session included Paul Washburn and Senior Jared Maki in leadership in the Moot Court with junior Jesus Cantu, freshman Aaron DeLozier, junior Jeff Hubbard, freshmen Barb Stosek and Calandra Vargas participating in the competition.

The House of Representatives was led by one of ORU's co-head delegates junior Lulie Maumenee, seniors Rachel Suttles and John Mark Thomas with junior Ruth Addison, sophomores Mark Cleveland, Marcus Haggard, Lasley and Mike Messerli, senior Joe Messina, and juniors Beverly Shana, Christina Valdez and John Clayton participating.

ORU had six delegates in the Senate this year, led by the other co-head delegate junior Jamie Curtis, with Robert Lavvorn, Daniel Rodriguez, Julie Hutto, Junior Jonathan Fleming and Junior Matthew Fenton participating as well.

With alumni of the organization including Oklahoma governors, state senators and representatives, U.S. congressmen and various other community and business leaders, OIL also provides a networking tool that is extremely valuable to students.

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