The Tri-Cities Prep Mock Trial team won 1st place at the YMCA Youth and Government Mock Trial District Competition in February. Two teams from the district competition advanced to the state competition that was held this past weekend. Of the two Tri-City high schools competing at state, Tri-Cities Prep placed the highest!
The YMCA Youth and Government Mock Trial program is a unique blend of law, debate, and drama in which students learn about topical issues and courtroom procedures while sharpening their critical thinking and public speaking skills. The trials are not scripted and are held in real courtrooms with real judges.
Tri-Cities Prep has taken part in the Mock Trial program since 1999, competing at the state-level for 14 out of 17 years. Unlike sports leagues, the mock trial program does not divide similarily sized schools into competetive leagues. This means that Prep often competes against schools with much larger student populations and programs.
Students from all grade levels are able to participate on the Prep team. The tools they are given to become successful competitors as well as their hard work is rewarded by the recognition received at the district and state competitions. Prep student attorneys that received honorable mentions at Districts were Sydney Kovis and Delaney Schroeder. Delaney also received an honorable mention at State. Prep student witnesses that received honorable mention at Districts were: Jared Hartwig, Stella Jackson, Lily Mortenson, and Elizabeth Peterson. State honorable mentions were: Jared, Lily and Elizabeth. Samantha Petersen, Kamiakin HS and daughter of Tri-Cities Prep Mock Trial Coach Dave Petersen, received honorable mention as an attorney for our Tri-Cities Prep team at both the District and State competition. Outstanding performance recognition bestowed by students from competing teams was also give to Elizabeth Peterson and to Samantha Petersen.
Congratulations to all of the students and coaches for another successful year!
