CONTACT: Teresa Weidemann-Smith
State Bar of Wisconsin
(800) 444-9404, ext. 6025
twsmith@wisbar.org
Rhinelander Mock Trial Team Competes at Nationals
MADISON, May 18, 2006 – Wisconsin's
Rhinelander High School Mock Trial Champions placed 23rd in the National
Mock Trial championship in Oklahoma City last weekend. Rhinelander
competed against teams from 39 states as well as Guam, the Northern
Mariana Islands and South Korea for the national title.
Nine team members with teacher coach Kathy Vick-Martini and attorney
coaches Mike Bloom and Jim Jacobi of Rhinelander made the trip to
compete in Oklahoma. The students are Diana Bess, Alyssa Freund, Kaylee
Griffin, Eric Hanson, Rahul Jain, Sarah Kinney, Arne Klein, Lauren
Mathea and Brian Pekol. This year marks the 13th time Rhinelander High
School has taken first place state honors.
"The mock trial competition helps high school students to
develop and test critical thinking and public speaking skills while
exposing students to the atmosphere of a real life legal
situation," said State Bar of Wisconsin Law-related Education
Committee chairperson Attorney Lindsey Draper. "During the
tournament these students hone their skills and participate as witnesses
and lawyers in a case."
During mock trial rounds, judges evaluate the students based on their
familiarity of the case and the formulation of their arguments. Students
earn points for each phase of the trial – opening, direct and
cross examination, closing argument and how well their witnesses
respond. This year's case took place at a rodeo in which one of the
competitors is accused of second-degree murder after allegedly tampering
with a fellow competitor's reins, which ultimately caused her death
after being bucked from her horse.
During the championship, Rhinelander teacher coach Kathy Vick-Martini
received the Golden Gavel Award, an annual award presented at the
National Mock Trial Championship. The award recognizes Vick-Martini's
length of service in the national mock trials as well as her many
contributions to both the state and national programs.
"Kathy Vick-Martini is the third Wisconsin person to receive
this honor in the five years the award has existed," said Draper.
"This is a testament to the excellence of the Wisconsin program in
our schools."
More information about Wisconsin's Mock Trial program can be found at
www.legalexplorer.com/mocktrial/.
Press Releases