House Resolution 108

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE LONG BEACH HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAM ON WINNING THE 2007 HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION.

WHEREAS, the Long Beach High School's Mock Trial Team won the state championship that was held in the Hinds County Court House in Jackson, Mississippi, on March 2 and 3, 2007; and

WHEREAS, as a mock trial team that has only been in existence for seven years, Long Beach High School Mock Trial Team's win at the state tournament speaks volumes of the dedication and preparation of its team members; and

WHEREAS, Long Beach's Mock Trial Team was superbly coached by attorneys Brad Rath and Bryan VonderBruegge, both Long Beach High School graduates, who used their practice experiences to strengthen the mock cases that the team members presented; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the superb coaching of attorneys Rath and VonderBruegge, the mock trial team was also sponsored by Vivian Lee Ward, a dedicated teacher at Long Beach High School; and

WHEREAS, the dedicated and impressive members of the champion Long Beach Mock Trial Team are as follows: Hayley Alexander, Kristin Sharp, Mark Sutton, Ihaab Syed, David VanCott, Lindsey Ward and Gage Weeks; and

WHEREAS, due to their victory as champions on the state level, Long Beach's Mock Trial Team will represent this great state in the National High School Mock Trial Competition with their great oratorical skills and knowledge of the rules of evidence and civil procedure; and

WHEREAS, in addition to the champion Long Beach Mock Trial Team, the school's second team placed in the top portion of the state competition, and the second team members are as follows: Chris Carrubba, Kirsten Center, Alix Holcomb, Chuck Jamison, Lindsey Malley, Stephanie Sharp, Elizabeth Sigafoose and Tyler Sutton; and

WHEREAS, despite the fact that Coach Rath and some of the students on the teams suffered losses during Hurricane Katrina, the teams' performances are a testament of how individuals are able to persevere and be successful no matter what has occurred before or what may occur in the future; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend excellence especially when displayed by the young people of our state, who are its future:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate Long Beach High School Mock Trial Team for winning the state championship and wish them much success as they compete on the national level as they represent this great state.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to Long Beach High School, Coaches Brad Rath and Bryan VonderBruegge and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.