May 2008 - Photo Highlights, Facts, and Thanks

• Publication year: 2008
• Pages: 17
• Citation: Vol. 37 No. 5 Pg. 17

37 Colo.Law. 17 Colorado Lawyer 2008.

2008, May, Pg. 17. May 2008 - Photo Highlights, Facts, and Thanks

The Colorado Lawyer
May 2008
Vol. 37, No. 5 [Page 17]

In and Around the Bar
2008 High School Mock Trial Tournament
Photo Highlights, Facts, and Thanks

2008 Colorado Bar Association
High School Mock Trial Tournament:
Local High School Students Have Their Day in Court

Hear Ye! Hear Ye!

GW High School vs. Wm. Jackson Palmer High School.

Colorado has a new High School
Mock Trial State Champion!

Congratulations to George Washington High School for winning the state title at the 2008 Colorado Bar Association (CBA) High School Mock Trial Tournament.

The tournament, held at the Larimer County Justice Center on March 14 and 15, 2008, featured high school students litigating a cold criminal case involving a brutal robbery at the Fort Collins Farmers Market, during which a promising young street performer was killed. The competition was tough this year, as twenty-two teams from across Colorado vied for the state title and the opportunity to compete at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Wilmington Delaware this May

George Washington (GW) High School students competed against students from Wm. Jackson Palmer High School in an intense championship round, which was presided over by Colorado Supreme Court Justice Alex J. Martinez. Scoring the championship round were Hon. Christine A. Carney, Eighth Judicial County Court; Renee Doak of the Larimer County District Attorney's office; Teresa Ablao, Senior Assistant City Attorney; Hon. Dave Cain, CBA Mock Trial Committee Co-Chair; Aldin Hill, CBA Litigation Section Executive Council; Hon. Peter J. Stapp, Magistrate Seventeenth Judicial District (J.D.); and Roger Clark, CBA Past President.

This is the first time a Denver Public School has won the final championship round. As a result of their victory, GW students will compete for the national title against forty-four teams from across the United States and U.S. Territories.

The GW team is known for its diversity. It includes students who are immigrants or children of immigrants and for whom English is a second language. After the Regional Competition, GW students could be heard reporting the news to their parents via cell phones - speaking in Arabic, Mandarin, Spanish, and English. The students also come from a variety of economic and religious backgrounds.

Teacher-coach Barbara Gale-Martinez started the GW Mock Trial Program in 2004-05. She established a law class for the 2008-09 school year. Although all attorney-coaches spend a great deal of time with the kids, Gale-Martinez dedicates more time than most. For example, she meets with the team on weekdays, helps with assignments the attorney-coaches provide, and transports and feeds team members. According to the team's attorney-coach Dennis Kaw, "The team's success is due mostly to Barbara's dedication. She truly loves these kids and her donation of time and money shows it."

The CBA continued its tradition of awarding a CBA Mock Trial Team Professionalism Award, as well as Outstanding Attorney and Witness Awards. These awards recognize accomplishments of teams and individuals. The Team Professionalism Award went to Boulder High School. Several students were recognized by scoring panelists for their outstanding performances as attorneys and witnesses. These outstanding attorneys and witnesses were presented certificates in front of their peers, teachers, coaches, and parents.

This year was the twenty-third anniversary of the CBA High School Mock Trial Program. The CBA hosted 102 teams that participated in eight regional tournaments across Colorado in the following regions: Adams/Broomfield; Arapahoe County; Boulder County; Denver; First J.D.; Northern Colorado; Southern Colorado; and Western Slope.

As they prepared for their regional tournaments, more than 1,200 students learned about the litigation process and gained critical thinking, advocacy...