Mock Trial Champions
Dear Editor: The Sitka High Mock Trial team recently won first- and third-place honors at the 33 Annual Alaska High School Mock Trial Championship finishing ahead of West High and Steller High of Anchorage, and West Valley Fairbanks. On behalf of the 14 students and coaches on our teams, we want to thank District Judge Jude Pate for his hours of coaching and adjudicating our team scrimmages, and for allowing us to work with his talented law clerk and my co-coach Al Staumont.
We also want to thank Sitka City Attorney and SHS alumni Brian Hanson for the advice and encouragement that he shared while judging our last practice scrimmage of the season. Also a huge thanks to our SHS family of Sondra, Tyler, Rich, Carrie and Brooke for their continued professionalism and support.
We were in the championship trial on Saturday night when we learned that our Sunday morning flights were canceled due to a labor dispute. While thousands of travelers were standing in lines and waiting on hold, we were blessed to have Sitka Alaska Airlines ticket agent Robin Garnick, who consolidated our tickets and rebooked our team home with a brief stop in Seattle. Thank you so much to Robin and to all Alaska Air employees who assisted in our safe return!
We also need to recognize all our, parents, K-12 teachers and activity advisers who help our students develop their reading, writing, public speaking, and critical thinking skills. The success of our program is truly a collaboration, and we share the credit with everyone involved.
We are dedicating our fifth state title to Stan Filler and the generous members of Sitka’s Cabaret, Hotel, Restaurant and Retailers association. Sitka CHARR has been our greatest sponsor, and it is only with their financial support that our team has been able to travel to Anchorage and represent Sitka every year since 2010. Thank you CHARR!
Howard Wayne,
Sitka High Mock Trial Team
