STATE MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT SHOWCASES ARIZONA YOUNG LEGAL MINDS

          Veritas Preparatory Academy Champions in Mock Trial Competition

[PHOENIX, AZ] – On March 23^rd, 13 teams from across the state competed in the annual state Mock Trial Tournament. Student teams study a fictional case and present their argument in front of a judge demonstrating their knowledge of the legal and justice system.

“These students, their teachers, and all the attorney volunteers should be proud of their extra efforts and accomplishments,” said Kevin Ruegg, Arizona Bar Foundation CEO. “The Foundation is honored to join the State Bar of Arizona in promoting this program and ensuring that our leaders of tomorrow have a strong knowledge base of our justice system.”

Top teams were:

• 1^st Place: Veritas Preparatory Academy
• 2^nd Place: Arizona School for the Arts
• 3^rd Place: The Gregory School
• 4^th Place: University High School

All State Team

• Darren C. – University High School (AADC prize winner)
• Anna F. – The Gregory School (AADC prize winner)
• Paige H. – Tanque Verde High School (AADC prize winner)
• Georgia H. – Veritas Preparatory Academy (AADC prize winner)
• Aubrey K. – Veritas Preparatory Academy (AADC prize winner)
• Klara P. – Arizona School for Arts (AADC prize winner)
• Imogen S. – Arizona School for the Arts
• Megan Torres Dafolgueira – Xavier College Preparatory

Justice Ryan Award

• Aubrey K. – Veritas Preparatory Academy

Veritas Preparatory Academy will advance to compete in the National Mock Trial Competition on May 3-4 in Delaware.

About Arizona’s “Mock Trial” Program

The Arizona High School Mock Trial Program, co-sponsored by the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education and the State Bar of Arizona's Young Lawyers Division, teaches students in grades 9-12 about the law and the legal system by participating in a simulated trial. The program is an opportunity for students to learn about the law and the legal system from practicing attorneys; for teachers to work closely with attorneys to reinforce legal concepts in the classroom; and for attorneys to share their expertise about the law and their legal skills.

About the Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education

The Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education provides technical and financial assistance to legal aid organizations, schools and community groups. The Foundation promotes “Access to Justice for All Arizonans” by supporting law-related education and free legal services and by promoting statewide collaborative efforts. The Foundation plays a leading role in preparing Arizona students for civic responsibility and reaches more than 100,000 children each year by training teachers, school resource officers and probation officers about our laws, justice system and the foundations of democracy. It is also home of LawForKids.org, America’s first website dedicated to teaching students about the law.

Helpful Websites

• Arizona Foundation for Legal Services & Education: azbf.org
• LawForKids/Mock Trial: https://lawforkids.org/mock-trial
• National High School Mock Trial: https://www.nationalmocktrial.org/

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