Island School Mock Trial Team wins state championship

Island School won the Hawaii High School Mock Trial Championship for the first time in school history.

“This is a remarkable accomplishment for a team from one of the outer islands,” said a press release.

To win the state championship held March 31, the team first had to win the Kauai island competition against two teams from Kauai High School. Island School then traveled to Honolulu’s Hawaii Supreme Court to compete against teams from Oahu.

Island School beat Hawaii Baptist Academy in the semifinals and then narrowly beat Punahou School in the finals to advance to the national competition.

Island School team captain and senior Emily Sullivan won the Outstanding Attorney award in both trials. Senior Ethan Jeal won Outstanding Witness in the semifinals, and senior Sydney Agudong won Outstanding Witness in the finals.

Island School is preparing to participate in the National High School Mock Trial Championships in Reno, Nevada, from May 10 to 12.

Each year, 30,000 students participate in local high school mock trial competitions throughout the U.S., Guam, South Korea and the Northern Mariana Islands. The national competition highlights the best teams. To prepare for nationals, Island School will have an intrasquad scrimmage at the state courthouse on April 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. The public is welcome.

Island School’s mock trial team is coached by Guy Neal, a former attorney and current social studies teacher at Island School, and Andrew McMullen, another former attorney and current rector at St. Michael and All Angels Episcopal Church in Lihue.

The team is fundraising to cover the costs of attending the national competition. They have set up a GoFundMe page and have a benefit concert scheduled from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. May 5 at Ha Coffee Bar.

Those wanting to support the group’s fund raising efforts can visit bit.ly/2vce1mW.

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John Steinhorst, reporter, can be reached at 245-0435 or jsteinhorst@thegardenisland.com.