Three Decorah Middle School teams competed at the state mock trial competition in Des Moines on November 27 and 28.  All finished in the top 15 at the state competition.

Two teams placed in the top ten, earning state trophies. The team of Poppy Bellrichard, Isaac Bentley, Maxwell Goodner, Oscar Grimstad, Kaya Johnson, Sophia McGee, Raelyn Newhouse, Oak Pasche, Nils Peterson, and Davis Walter won the eighth-place trophy. The team of Austin Bohner, Isaiah Bonnet, Rosella Burkholder, Charly Courtney, Nathaniel Crose, Robert Davis, June Fassbinder, Lula McAbee, Kelbi Schuman, and Veda Shimek placed ninth. The team of Matthew Burkholder, Pranav Caton, Brody Darling, Leah Garcia-Prats, Eva Hurley, Addisyn Ivy, Breyden McCain, Shree Patel, Kate Pattison, and Bristol Parker finished 14th. 

Several DMS students earned individual awards. Davis Walter was recognized as an outstanding attorney of the competition. Matthew Burkholder and Kaya Johnson earned outstanding witness awards.

DMS students ready to compete at state competition.

DMS Mock Trial students show off their awards after the state competition.

High school coaches (l-r): Grace Blikre, Lily Sandhorst, and Myla Leitz.