For Immediate Release
	CONTACT: Jason Westphal State Bar of Wisconsin (800) 444-9404, ext. 6077 jwestphal@wisbar.org

Four-peat! - Rhinelander H.S. crowned 2003 champs

MADISON, March 11, 2003 - For the fourth year in a row, the students from Rhinelander High School have won the State Bar's Mock Trial Tournament. After emerging from Sunday's semifinals, Rhinelander met Superior in yesterday's final round which was judged by four Wisconsin Supreme Court justices. It is the tenth time in the 20-year history of the competition that Rhinelander has won the state title.

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. This year's case involved the battery of a student that was instigated by the defendant's perception of the victim's sexual orientation.

By winning the state competition, Rhinelander has again earned the right to represent Wisconsin in the National High School Mock Trial Tournament, which is scheduled for May 8-11 in New Orleans, Louisiana. Rhinelander finished fifth at the 2002 national championships in St. Paul, Minnesota.

Under the direction of Kathy Vick-Martini and local Attys. Mike Bloom & Jim Jacobi, the following student participated in this year's competition: Paul Heideman, Megan Jacobi, Rohan Jain, Ben Kinney, Jasleen Sikka, Jean Westerhaus, Kate Zambon and Jesse Zarley.

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

Region 1 Eau Claire Regis Teacher Coach: Howard Campbell Attorney Coach: John Manydeeds	Region 9 East Troy Teacher Coach: Robin Himebauch Attorney Coach: James Mills
Region 2 Marshfield Teacher Coaches: Rich Kopitzke Kathy Campbell Attorney Coach: Mike Hoerl	Region 10 Milwaukee Marquette Teacher Coaches: Thomas Noonan Nick Di Ulio Attorney Coach: Robert Mihelich
Region 3 Green Bay Southwest Teacher Coach: John St. Andre Attorney Coach: Mike Kirschling	Region 11 Superior Teacher Coach: Kyle Smith Attorney Coaches: Ken Knudson George Glonek Kelly Thimm
Region 4 River Valley Teacher Coach: Mike Showen Attorney Coaches: Jason Hollenberger Ted Franke	Region 12 Rhinelander Teacher Coach: Kathy Vick-Martini Attorney Coaches: Mike Bloom Jim Jacobi
Region 5 Appleton Xavier Teacher Coaches: Brian Borchardt Ellen Breithaupt Attorney Coach: Carrie Schneider	Region 13 Beaver Dam Teacher Coach: Stephen Vessey Attorney Coach: Joe Militello
Region 6 La Crosse Central Teacher Coach: Hank Poehling Attorney Coach: Jim Birnbaum	Region 14 Brookfield Academy Teacher Coach: Bruce Rottman Attorney Coach: Joseph Redding
Region 7 Madison West Teacher Coach: Mary Lehrer Attorney Coaches: Melissa Smith Peter Hans	Region 15 Oak Creek Teacher Coach: Joe Cota Attorney Coach: Brad Lochowicz
Region 8 Sheboygan South Teacher/Attorney Coach: Lisa Rowe	Region 16 Sturgeon Bay Teacher Coach: Steve Schmelzer Attorney Coach: Lisa Vanden Branden

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.

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