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Rogers Heritage High Wins Mock Trial Event
(Posted: March 4, 2010) (Printable Version)
Rogers Heritage High School took first place and Springdale Har-Ber High School took second place in the regional mock trial competition held at the University of Arkansas - Fort Smith.
Both teams advance to the state competition, along with Springdale High School, who scored well enough to earn a “wild card” slot in the state event on March 6 in Little Rock. Winners at the state level advance to a national competition.
The final round was judged by Rhonda Wood, Faulkner County Circuit Court Judge and Arkansas Court of Appeals candidate. Lynn Lisk of Fort Smith, director of the paralegal program at UA Fort Smith and coordinator of the regional competition, said Judge Wood has been instrumental in the directing of the Conway Teen Court program.
“She is a huge supporter of legal education for high school students and the public at large,” said Lisk.
Local attorneys Jason Hunter and Shannon Foster also acted as scoring judges for the final round. Hunter is employed by the Sebastian County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and Foster is in private practice.
The Springdale Har-Ber team was made of Evan Verucchi, Jennifer Greenhaw, Elizabeth Ellenbarger, Kelly Hagerty, Anna Gonzales, Russ Reynerson, Jetson Rings, Kristen White and Natasha Cain.
On the Rogers Heritage High team were Dylan Parker, Michael Benzmiller, Diane Velasquez, Jillian Schmidt, Kelly Hudnall, Jordan Martin, Mason Moser, Mason Reynolds, Chelsea Glass, Emily Pappas, Emily Schaefer and Bethany Bishop.
Lisk said the case presented in the competition involved a person accused in a hit-and-run accident that injured a professional marathon runner. The competition is sponsored through the Arkansas Bar Association.
“The competition teaches high school students about the legal system and how it works,” said Lisk. “This is an invaluable tool, giving students a first-hand view of what occurs in a real trial. It also mixes fun with learning in a way that the students carry the information with them into their future lives.”
| Article by: Sondra LaMar, Director of Public Relations | |
| Photo(s) by: Don Dancer, Coach for Mock Trial Team from Rogers Heritage High School |
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