DCE, Rhinelander schools advance to state bar mock trials

D.C. Everest Senior and Rhinelander high schools have advanced to the semifinals of State Bar of Wisconsin High School Mock Trial with wins at the Wausau regional tournament Feb. 8 at the Marathon County Courthouse.

D.C. Everest placed first and Rhinelander second. The two bested teams from Phillips, Stratford and Wausau West high schools. [Watch Team DC Everest reaction to winning.]

The schools will join 22 other Wisconsin high schools that are advancing to the State Bar of Wisconsin 37^th Annual High School Mock Trial semifinal event on March 13-14 at the Dane County Courthouse in Madison. The top two teams in the tournament will compete head-to-head March 15 for the right to go to the National Mock Trial Tournament, held May 6-9 in Evansville, Indiana.

A total of 103 teams, involving more than 1,000 students, competed in 11 regional tournaments across the state.

The high school mock trial program provides high school students with an opportunity to act as attorneys and witnesses in a court case that has been developed by State Bar members. Founded in 1983, the program helps students gain a deeper understanding of our legal system while developing leadership, critical thinking and problem-solving skills.