Washington Courts: Press Release Detail

2003 YMCA Mock Trial Champion: Seattle Prep

Seattle Prep took top honors this Sunday, March 30th as the 2003 champion of the statewide YMCA Youth and Government Mock Trial Program Competition.   The team is now eligible to compete in the national championships set for May 8-10 in New Orleans.

Washington Supreme Court Justice Susan Owens presided over the championship trial, the culmination of a three-day, multi-round event at the Thurston County Courthouse in Olympia .  Throughout the weekend, twenty high school teams from across the state competed for the title by arguing the prosecution and defense sides of State of Washington v. Taylor Garrison.  The fictional case involved the prosecution of an alleged assault occurring on the field during a youth soccer game. 

Top ten finalists of the competition are as follows:  Seattle Prep, 1st place; Franklin High School, 2nd place; Richland High School, 3rd place; University Prep 4th place; Fort Vancouver, 5th place; Meridian High School, 6th place; Fort Vancouver (team B), 7th place; Tri-Cities Prep, 8th place; Central Kitsap High School, 9th place; Franklin High School (team B), 10th place.

Awards were also given to individual members of the high school teams. The Outstanding Attorney Award went to Ashley King from Fort Vancouver High School.  The Outstanding Witness Award went to Alex Grad from Central Kitsap High School.

The competition is a part of the YMCA’s Youth and Government Program.  Co-sponsors include the Administrative Office of the Courts, the Superior and District Court Judges’ Associations and the Washington State Bar Association. 

CONTACTS:  King County Superior Court Judge William L. Downing, Mock Trial Program Committee Chair (206) 296-9362; or Amanda Haworth, YMCA Mock Trial Coordinator (360) 534-0155.

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Wendy K. Ferrell Judicial Communications Manager 360.705.5331 e-mail Wendy.Ferrell@courts.wa.gov

Lorrie Thompson Communications Officer 360.705.5347 Lorrie.Thompson@courts.wa.gov