A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE THE STROM THURMOND HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS FOR WINNING THE SOUTH CAROLINA BAR'S 2026 STATE HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is proud to recognize the Strom Thurmond High School mock trial team for winning the South Carolina Bar's 2026 State High School Mock Trial Championship, the team's twelfth state championship; and

 

Whereas, mock trial develops critical thinking under pressure and helps students hone other key skills such as collaboration, adapting to different audiences, reading critically and matching material facts with elements of the law, cultivating an understanding of the legal system, problem analysis, and teamwork; and

 

Whereas, mock trial is a flagship program of the South Carolina Bar's Law Related Education Division (LRE), which was developed in 1976 to improve the ability of teachers to instruct on law related education. The program is supported by the Bar's volunteer LRE committee and made possible through the South Carolina Bar Foundation's Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts grant program; and

 

Whereas, the student members of the winning team are Raina Barrs, Rebecca Carpenter, Dennis Fraser, Joseph Greene, Julianne Harper, Carter Massey, Olivia O'Gorman, Toney Robinson, Lilly Smith, Olivia Stevens, and Evan Williams. The team was joined by courtroom journalists S'Mya Lovett and Adelaide Zelmer; and

 

Whereas, the team has flourished under the leadership and guidance of teachers Thomas Behr and Ruth Bledsoe and attorney coach Blair Massey; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the pride and recognition that the Strom Thurmond High School mock trial team has brought to its school and community and look forward to a future filled with further accomplishments by the team.  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, coaches, and school officials for winning the South Carolina Bar's 2026 State 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; teachers, Thomas Behr and Ruth Bledsoe; attorney coach, Blair Massey; and principal, Kristin Risher.

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