For Immediate Release
	CONTACT: Christi Powers State Bar of Wisconsin (608) 250-6025

Rhinelander High School Does It Again
Madison West is State Runner-up in Mock Trial Tournament

MADISON, March 11, 2002 - For the third consecutive year, the students from Rhinelander High School have won the State Bar's Mock Trial Tournament. After emerging from Sunday's semifinals, Rhinelander met Madison West in today's final round which was judged by all seven Wisconsin Supreme Court justices (list of students below). It is the ninth time in the 19-year history of the competition that Rhinelander has won the state title.

By winning the state competition, Rhinelander has again earned the right to represent Wisconsin in the National High School Mock Trial Tournament scheduled for May 9-12 in St. Paul, Minnesota. Rhinelander finished seventh at last year's national championships in Omaha, Nebraska.

The High School Mock Trial Tournament is designed to develop and test critical thinking and public speaking skills while exposing students to the atmosphere of a real-life trial situation. Hundreds of Wisconsin lawyers, judges and teachers statewide volunteer to coordinate the State Bar's High School Mock Trial tournament annually as a way of serving the community by educating students about the legal process.

"Wisconsin lawyers believe that building trust and confidence in the justice system must begin in the classroom," said State Bar President Gerald Mowris. "The State Bar congratulates both teams on outstanding, professional performances. We hope that the students have a greater appreciation for our fair and balanced court system, having experienced it firsthand."

This year's simulated trial was a wrongful death lawsuit that stemmed from the death of a high school student, who instead of attending his senior prom, decided to play Russian roulette with two friends and ended up with a fatal gunshot wound to the head.

The State Bar of Wisconsin is the mandatory professional association, created by the Wisconsin Supreme Court, for attorneys who hold a law license in Wisconsin. With more than 20,000 members, the State Bar aids the courts in improving the administration of justice, provides continuing legal education for its members, and assists Wisconsin lawyers in carrying out initiatives to educate the public about the legal system.

For more information on the Mock Trial Tournament, visit www.legalexplorer.com, or contact Dee Runaas at (800) 444-9404, ext. 6191.

2002 Mock Trial Finalists

Madison West Students:
Meghana Agni
Molly Dermody
Marni Ginsberg
Cristin Hoover
Ajay Limaye
Vijay Limaye
Jaidee Moore
Wrede Smith
Kate Thornbery
Ashley Vandell
Teacher Coach: Mary Lehrer
Attorney Coach: Lisa Smith

Rhinelander Students:
Amanda Cihla
Paul Heideman
Rohan Jain
Ben Kinney
Dan Kinney
Caleb Mattison
Tony Skriba
Megan Thompson
Jillian Vocke
Jean Westerhaus
Teacher Coach: Kathy Vick-Martini
Attorney Coaches: Mike Bloom, Jim Jacobi

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