{"id":5651,"date":"2020-04-08T09:00:14","date_gmt":"2020-04-08T09:00:14","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/ontherecord.empiremocktrial.org\/?p=5651"},"modified":"2020-05-14T15:00:46","modified_gmt":"2020-05-14T15:00:46","slug":"updates-from-empire-regarding-covid-19","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/ontherecord.empiremocktrial.org\/?p=5651","title":{"rendered":"Updates from Empire: Regarding COVID-19"},"content":{"rendered":"

Dear Empire Family:<\/span><\/p>\n

I am writing today to let you know I am thinking about you and your family during this unprecedented time, and to share an update on the 2020 Empire season.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As COVID-19 has spread rapidly, the Empire Family has been in my heart and on my mind. We live on four continents, but our lives have all been touched by this. Has there ever been a time where our interconnectedness has felt so salient?<\/span><\/p>\n

Empire had its start in my hometown of New York City<\/span>, <\/span>which is suffering so much at the moment. I worry for my friends and family there, especially my 90-year-old grandmother who lives in Brooklyn and my uncle, who was recently diagnosed with the virus.<\/span><\/p>\n

I have been trying as best I can to carry on with the work of the organization from home. But I can\u2019t stop thinking about those on the front lines, like the doctors and nurses caring for the sick, the grocery store workers keeping us fed, and the police and fire departments keeping us safe, to name a few. Every essential worker deserves our love and gratitude.<\/span><\/p>\n

I also can\u2019t stop thinking about those financially impacted by the pandemic, especially our hotel partners. We work hand-in-hand with the staff of the Embassy Suites Centennial Park, Hilton Chicago, New York Hilton Midtown and the Parc 55. Their staff treats us like family and they, in turn, are a part of our Family. Our heart goes out to them during this trying time.<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n


\nImpact on Mock Trial<\/b><\/h4>\n

I have waited several weeks to write because, in the grand scheme of what\u2019s going on in the world right now, we can acknowledge that mock trial is not a priority.<\/span><\/p>\n

With that said, we share the immense disappointment that our mock trial community feels in the wake of mock trial competitions across the globe being cancelled. So many of you were preparing directs and crosses for trials that never happened. Excited seniors had the final trials of their high school and college careers taken away. Heartbroken tournament organizers made the excruciating decision to cancel tournaments months<\/span>\u2014<\/span>sometimes years<\/span>\u2014<\/span>in the making; including our friends at the National High School Mock Trial Competition and the American Mock Trial Association\u2019s National Tournament.<\/span><\/p>\n

There are no words anyone can offer to replace those memories.<\/span><\/p>\n

What I will say is that I am proud of our community. There is something inspiring that comes from watching a group of people, especially young people, sacrifice for a greater good. Even before federal directives were issued and stay-at-home orders decreed, \u2018mockers\u2019 across the globe made the decision to stay at home for the sake of their fellow global citizens. Ultimately, that spirit of doing good for others will remain with us after we make it through this pandemic. That spirit will make each of us stronger and more compassionate. It will make us better students, teachers or lawyers. That spirit will make us better citizens.<\/span><\/p>\n

It will also ensure that next time we hear the words, \u201cMay it please the Court,\u201d we\u2019ll have a new appreciation for how lucky we are to be involved in this activity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

\n


\nImpact on 2020 Empire Season<\/b><\/h4>\n

I have received kind notes from many of you, checking in on my well-being as well as our team\u2019s. On behalf of all of us here at Empire, thank you.<\/span><\/p>\n

We have also received lots of inquiries about the status of our 2020 programs.<\/span><\/p>\n

As of this writing, we have not altered our schedule for the upcoming season: Empire Atlanta is September 25-28, Empire New York is October 9-12, and Empire Chicago is October 30 – November 2. Could this change? Of course. Our programs require months of planning, even though they are held in the fall (i.e. autumn). That means we cannot decide on September 1, for example, whether or not to host our competitions. We will likely decide on or about <\/span>July 1<\/b> whether to make any changes to our schedule.<\/span><\/p>\n

In light of the pandemic, we have decided to implement the following changes for this season:<\/span><\/p>\n