Two eighth grade Decorah Middle School Mock Trial teams competed at the state level on December 2 and 3.  The students competed in three rounds of competition, improving in each one.  

The team Courtroom Clown Crew of Nathaniel Crose, Charly Courtney, Rosie Burkholder, Kelbi Schuman, Noah Alexander, Robert Davis, Abby Stevens, Ruth Kueny, Edith Marable, and June Fassbinder earned the 11^th place state trophy.

Each year one team is awarded the Judge Anthony Critelli Award for Professional Conduct and Decorum.  The award is voted on by all of the middle school competitors, and this year a Decorah team won the prestigious award. The winning team Waiver Your Life Goodbye includes members Simon Potvin, Isaiah Bonnet, Ellis Thompson, Kylie Zoulek, Harper Menke, Sofia Hageman, Lula McAbee, Veda Shimek, Crosby Butler, and Austin Bohner.

Two DMS students also earned individual awards.  Austin Bohner and Abby Stevens were both selected to receive Outstanding Witness awards.

Mock Trial Coach Dana Hogan commented, “This is an amazing group of students.  I am so glad I had the opportunity to work with them and to see their growth through the season. They are all fierce competitors who will use their mock trial skills in many ways in the future.”

Coaches Dana Hogan and Scott Boylen appreciate the help of the local lawyers and previous mock trial students in preparing the teams throughout the season.

Courtroom Clown Crew
Row One (l-r): June Fassbinder, Kelbi Schuman, Rosie Burkholder, Robert Davis
Row Two (l-r): Nathaniel Crose, Ruth Kueny, Charly Courtney, Abby Stevens, Edith Marable, Noah
Alexander

Waiver Your Life Goodbye
Row One: Simon Potvin, Veda Shimek, Kylie Zoulek, Lula McAbee, Harper Menke, Sofia Hageman
Row Two: Crosby Butler, Austin Bohner, Ellis Thompson, Isaiah Bonnet

Outstanding Witness Austin Bohner

Outstanding Witness Abby Stevens