A senate RESOLUTION

 

TO CONGRATULATE THE Forest Creek Middle SCHOOL mock trial TEAM, COACHES, AND SCHOOL OFFICIALS for WINNING THE SOUTH CAROLINA bar's 2024 State Middle School Mock Trial championship.

 

Whereas, the South Carolina Senate is proud to recognize the Forest Creek Middle School mock trial team for winning the South Carolina Bar's 2024 State Middle School Mock Trial Championship; and

 

Whereas, the Forest Creek Middle School team competed against eleven other middle schools from across the State for the title. JET Middle School of Johnston was the first runner-up; and

 

Whereas, the teams presented the prosecution and defense sides of a fictitious criminal case, State of South Carolina v. Dorian Delaney. Each team was judged on its presentation skills rather than the legal merits of the case; and

 

Whereas, mock trial develops critical thinking during high-pressure circumstances 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, critical thinking skills, problem analysis, and teamwork; and

 

Whereas, mock trial is a flagship program of the SC 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 SC Bar Foundation's Interest on Lawyer Trust Accounts grant program; and

 

Whereas, the student members of the Forest Creek Middle School mock trial team are Matthew Cardona, Davis Jones, Jacob Knight, Shravni Kumbhar, Siddney Lanter, Annabel Le, Olivia Lollio, Jaclyn MacVittie, Brayden Maynard, Chloe Maynard, Mya Milestone, Elizabeth Park, Alia Ray, Aahil Raza, Ayaan Raza, Samantha Roelandts, Gianna Stavrinou, Zachary Wilcox, and Quint Burke; and

 

Whereas, the Forest Creek Middle School team has flourished under the leadership and guidance of teachers Michelle Engstrom and Amanda VanValkenburgh and attorney coach Gary Lemel; and

 

Whereas, the members of the South Carolina Senate appreciate the pride and recognition that the Forest Creek Middle 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 Forest Creek Middle School mock trial team, coaches, and school officials for winning the South Carolina Bar's 2024 State Middle School Mock Trial Championship.

 

Be it further resolved that a copy of this resolution be presented to the Forest Creek Middle School mock trial team; teachers Michelle Engstrom and Amanda VanValkenburgh; attorney coach Gary Lemel; and Principal Christine McNeil.

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