XAVIER WINS STATE HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT - University High School Sweeps 2nd through 4th place

March 29, 2007
Contact: Amy Koenig (602) 340-7357
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(Phoenix, AZ) - Phoenix's Xavier High School took first place at the State Tournament on Saturday March 25, 2007 at the Sandra Day O'Connor Federal Courthouse. University High School in Tucson took second through fourth place. As the State Champion, Xavier will represent Arizona at the National High School Mock Trial Tournament in Dallas, Texas in May.

Individual award winners were as follows:

All State Team (Nominated by multiple judges for outstanding performances):

  • Keven Keller -University High School, Tucson
  • Alana Olsen- University High School, Tucson
  • Logal Dwyer-Northland Preparatory Academy, Flagstaff
  • Ashley Federer- University High School, Tucson
  • Robert Wohl- St. Gregory High School, Tucson
  • Katherine Keller - Xavier High School , Phoenix

Scholarship Winners:

  • $500 Samantha Meier- Northland Preparatory Academy
  • $300 Mandy Levendowski - Xavier High School
  • $200 Katherine Valder - Xavier High School Scholarships were sponsored by the Arizona Association for Defense Council.

Courtroom Artist Contest Winners

  • Region 7- McKinsey Lewis - Northland Preparatory Academy
  • Region 6 - Stephanie White - University High School
  • Region 3 - Issac Cuen - Barry Goldwater High School

The program is sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education, and the State Bar of Arizona Young Lawyers Division. The rounds are presided over by judges from courtrooms all over Arizona. Over 50 judges and attorneys from around the state participated in the state competition alone, bringing their legal expertise to the participants through constructive criticism after each trial.

The competing teams were the highest ranking among over 80 teams that competed in seven regional competitions across the state on March 3rd. Xavier High School will advance to the National Mock Trial Competition in Dallas, Texas in May.

About Arizona's Mock Trial Program

Mock Trial gives students interested in law, public speaking, or even performing arts opportunity to learn from practicing attorneys and attorneys have an opportunity to share their legal expertise and skills. Mock Trial teams consist of six to eight students, a teacher/coach, and an attorney/coach. Each team must learn both sides of a fictional case and play the roles of both attorneys and witnesses. Teams work together to learn the facts of the case and create strategies for trial. This year's case is a criminal prosecution for manslaughter, negligent homicide and illegal burning of wild lands in Northern Arizona.

The goals of the Arizona High School Mock Trial Program are to give students a better understanding of the legal system - from the rules of evidence to proper court decorum, increasing their awareness of the importance of law in a democratic society and strengthens understanding of their fundamental rights under the U.S. Constitution, and to promote increased confidence, poise, oral skills, critical thinking skills and teamwork skills.

About the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services and Education

The Foundation provides technical and financial assistance to legal aid organizations, schools and community groups working toward "access to justice for all Arizonans" through law-related education and free legal services and by promoting statewide collaborative efforts.

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