Decorah students heading to State Mock Trial Contest

A Decorah Middle School Mock Trial team is heading to Des Moines Wednesday for the State Mock Trial Competition.  

Team WAAT, made up of 8th grade students, placed second overall at a recent regional tournament, earning them a bid to the state tournament .

At the regional competition, several Decorah students were recognized for their performances.  "Outstanding Witnesses" included 8th graders Lara Guzman, Brianna Doyle, Maggie Breitenstein, Katie Perez, Emily Womeldorf, Drake Bauer, and Linnea Carlson and 7th graders Sylvia Betteridge, Anne Gullekson, Madelyn Jermeier, and Adam Kreiger.  Recognized as "Outstanding Attorneys" were 8th graders Katelyn Yee, Lara Guzman, Drew Sullivan, Tim Winter, Kalle Solberg, and Naomi Davidson.   7th graders who were recognized included Kayla Walters, Abby Hudson, Ali Graves, Elle Shelton, Helen Johnson, and Tino Mtisi.
     
To help them prepare along the way they were led by their coach, middle school teacher Janelle Keune.   They also received legal advice from local attorneys including Rebecca Burkes, Barrett Gipp, David Strand, and Ron Fadness.  Dr. Kristy Schilling provided students with the medical background to understand the case while Officer Dave Smutzler spoke to the students about criminal investigations.  Students were assisted by numerous parents, ArtHaus theater director Kristen Underwood, retired teacher Peggy Beatty, Emily Gentry, and high school mentors Simon Cropp, Jacob Stock, Reese Drenth, Tess Olinger, Gara Lonning, and Olivia Dieschbourg.