December 01, 2008

Islander debaters, mock trial team launch season

Grand Island Senior High School's Debate Team competed at Lincoln Southwest on Nov. 8, where the team won four first place awards, Coach Deb Lawson said.

First place winners were Becca Preisendorf, Varsity Senate; Rose Hayes, Novice House of Representatives; Kolten Wall, Varsity Congress Presiding Officer Award; and Sam Knight, Novice House of Representatives Officer Award.

Other Islanders who placed at the meet were Tyler Pierce, third place; Kandi Jeffers, fifth place; and Abby Adams, sixth place.

Students also participated in Mock Trial Project this fall, sponsored by the Nebraska Bar Association, Lawson said.

The Islander team comprised of Rose Hayes, Tyler Pierce, Kolten Wall, Robbie Osberg, Kandi Jeffers, John Dalton, and Matt Swanson defeated Kearney High School in the first round of competition at the Hall County Courthouse. Team members competing at the Buffalo County Courthouse included Natalie Mendez, Rachel Anderson, Maggie Bartlett, Eduardo Cruz, Bria Gatto, Becca Preisendorf, Ararika Ochoa, Hannah McVay, and Patience Kelley.

Lawson is the Mock Trial Project team coach, and Marvin Andersen, a Grand Island attorney, is the attorney coach for the Islanders. Hall County District Judge Teresa Luther is the regional coordinator for the Mock Trial Project.

For more information, contact: Deb Lawson, debate coach, Grand Island Senior High School, dlawson@gips.org, (308) 385-5950