CONTACT: Teresa Weidemann-Smith
State Bar of Wisconsin
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6025
twsmith@wisbar.org
High Schoolers Headed to National Mock Trial Tournament
MADISON, (April 14, 2005) – Last month sixteen
high school teams competed in Madison at the 22nd Annual Wisconsin High
School Mock Trial Tournament sponsored by the State Bar of Wisconsin.
The top five high school teams after the semi-finals included
Rhinelander, La Crosse Central, Xavier of Appleton, Shorewood of
Milwaukee and Madison West. For the sixth year in a row Rhinelander High
School took first place honors and will represent Wisconsin at the
National Mock Trial Championship in Charlotte, North Carolina May 4-6,
2005.
"The mock trial competition helps to develop and test the students'
critical thinking and public speaking skills while also giving the
students the opportunity to experience the atmosphere of a real life
legal situation," said Charles "Chuttie" Senn, State Bar of Wisconsin
Law-Related Education Committee Chair. "These students compete by honing
their skills and participating as witnesses and lawyers in a case."
Hundreds of lawyers, judges and teachers volunteer at the annual
tournament as a way of serving the community by educating students about
the legal process. Last year more than 1,800 students, from both public
and private schools, participated in the competition. Teams of 6-12
students argue a case before a panel of three mock trial judges selected
from a roster of actual judges and attorneys. Participation of the
Wisconsin Supreme Court is one of the highlights of the program.
The sixteen high schools participating in this year's regional
competition include:
Region 1: Eau
Claire
Regis High School
Teacher: Howard Campbell
Attorney Coaches: John Manydeeds, Dana Smetana, Tim Sullivan |
Region 2: Wausau
D.C. Everest High School
Teacher: Pete Newton
Attorney Coaches: Dan Cveykus, Robin Kennedy, Greg Strasser |
Region 3: Green Bay
Green Bay East High School
Teachers: Donna Jahnke, Brian Nash
Attorney Coach: Tricia Nell |
Region 4: Wisconsin Rapids
River Valley High School
Teachers: J. Hollenberger, Mick Showen
Attorney Coach: Ted Frank |
Region 5: Appleton
Appleton: Xavier High School
Teacher: Monica Jones
Assistant Coaches: Ellen Breithaupt, Brian Borchardt
Attorney Coaches: Kevin Loneergan, Lora Zimmer |
Region 6: La Crosse
La Crosse Central High School
Teacher: Kurt Stainis
Attorney Coaches: Frank Doherty, Tom Huh, Tom Fitzpatrick, Jeff George,
Ellen Thorn |
Region 7: Madison
Madison West High School
Teacher: Mary Lehrer
Attorney Coach: Peter Hans |
Region 8: Sheboygan
Sheboygan South High School
Teacher: Angie Hullin
Attorney Coaches: Basil Buchko, Barb Kirchner |
Region 9: Janesville
East Troy High School
Teacher: Robin Himebauch
Assistant Coach: Mary Lou Reinholtz
Attorney Coach: James Mills |
Region 10: Milwaukee
Shorewood High School
Teacher: Keith Heidmann
Attorney Coaches: Nathan Bayer, Joan Clark |
Region 11: Hudson
River Falls High School
Teacher: Heather Boleman
Attorney Coaches: Bob Parsons, Tracy Tool |
Region 12: Rhinelander
Rhinelander High School
Teacher: Kathy Vick-Martini
Attorney Coaches: Mike Bloom, Jim Jacobi, Dan Musser |
Region 13: Juneau
Plymouth High School
Teacher: Tom Gerleman
Attorney Coach: Elizabeth Rich |
Region 14: Waukesha
Brookfield Academy
Teacher: Bruce Rottman
Attorney Coaches: Joe Redding, Dave Wacholz |
Region 15: Racine
Saint Catherine's High School
Teacher: Beverly Eppler
Attorney Coaches: Pam Popken, Sally Hoelzel |
Region 16: Sturgeon Bay
Sturgeon Bay High School
Teacher: Steve Schmelzer
Attorney Coach: Gina M. DeFurio |
For information about the Mock Trial Tournament, visit www.legalexplorer.com or contact
Dee Runaas, State Bar of Wisconsin Law-Related Education Coordinator at
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6191.
The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional
association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who
hold a Wisconsin law license. With more than 21,000 members, the State
Bar aids the courts in improving the administration of justice, provides
continuing legal education for its members to help them maintain their
expertise, and assists Wisconsin lawyers in carrying out community
service initiatives to educate the public about the legal system and the
value of lawyers.
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