A senate RESOLUTION

TO CONGRATULATE STROM THURMOND HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAM FOR WINNING THE 2024 SOUTH CAROLINA BAR HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is proud to recognize the Strom Thurmond High School Mock Trial team for earning their tenth state championship on March 9, 2024; and

Whereas, the winning team members include Mina Allen, Raina Barrs, Elizabeth Busby, Joseph Greene, Julianne Harper, Carter Massey, Olivia O'Gorman, Kimberly Ramirez, Toney Robinson, Klara Rochau, Emma Smith, Lilly Smith, Evan Williams, Autumn Wingard, and Eric Zelmer; and

Whereas, the High School Mock Trial (HSMT) Program is a hands-on exercise in learning about due process. It is most often conducted as an extracurricular school activity; and

Whereas, the South Carolina Bar Association organizes and leads HSMT. The program's goal is to educate students regarding the American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. Through participation in HSMT, students cultivate basic skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading, critical thinking, and problem analysis; and

Whereas, each participating school sends a team, sponsored by a teacher volunteer, that is composed of between seven and eighteen students, to regional competitions in February. Teams try each year's fictitious case against other teams. The top twelve teams compete at the state championship in March. The South Carolina Bar High School Mock Trial champion represents South Carolina at the National High School Mock Trial Championship, Inc.; and

Whereas, the Strom Thurmond Rebels have now earned the title of South Carolina Mock Trial State Champions in 2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2012, 1987, 1985, and 1984. The team was the runner-up in 2014 and 2011; and

Whereas, the team now advances to the mock trial national competition in May. The Delaware Law Related Education Center, Inc. will host the 2024 National High School Mock Trial competition in Wilmington, Delaware, on May 2-5, 2024; and

Whereas, the Strom Thurmond High School Mock Trial team has flourished under the leadership and guidance of Teacher Coach, Thomas Behr; Attorney Coach, Blair Massey; and Assistant Coaches, Denise Jackson, Steve McKinney, and Derek Rhodes; and

Whereas, the team's victory indicates a high level of knowledge and skill possessed by its members and is an outstanding accomplishment deserving of recognition.  Now, therefore,

Be it resolved by the Senate:

That the members of the South Carolina Senate, by this resolution, congratulate the Strom Thurmond High School Mock Trial team on winning the 2024 South Carolina Bar High School Mock Trial Championship.

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Strom Thurmond High School Mock Trial team, Teacher Coach Thomas Behr, Attorney Coach Blair Massey, and Assistant Coaches Denise Jackson, Steve McKinney, and Derek Rhodes.

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