10 Mar 2009
Hillcrest High School Ties for Third
DALLAS-A team of students from Skyline High School in Dallas won the 30th Annual Texas High School Mock Trial Competition sponsored by the Dallas Bar Association over the weekend.
The victory is the first time a Dallas ISD school has won the state competition in 19 years.
In addition, Hillcrest High School advanced to the state semi-final and eventually tied for third in the state.
"We are thrilled to offer congratulations to the talented students at both Skyline and Hillcrest High School," said Dallas ISD Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "It takes a lot of intellect, time and preparation to compete at the state level. To win the competition is very exciting and is a real feather in the cap for both Skyline High School and Dallas ISD."
Twenty-four teams from both public and private schools throughout Texas advanced to the mock trial competition, representing the best of roughly 150 schools that began competing in the fall.
Nearly 200 Dallas-area judges and attorneys served as "jurors" and in selecting the teams that were best prepared and who demonstrated exceptional presentation skills. Skyline triumphed over El Paso Americas in the final, qualifying the team to participate in the national mock trial competition in Atlanta May 5-10.
Skyline's team is coached by Joe Wicker and Dr. Martha Williams. Student members include: Lauren Burgess, Morgan Burgess, Countess Dudley, Marissa Escamilla, Allyson LaFrance, Obed Manuel, Salvador Ortega, Cristian Perez, Diane Rivas and Courtney Sanders. Alternate members are: Cendy Rodriguez, Susana Ayala, John Sanchez and Maria Renteria.
Hillcrest team members include Jeremy Dickie, Steven Haspel, Michael Hinojosa, Taylor Hinojosa, Phillip Sartain, Erik Severson, Ross Shwarts and Jeff Wilke. Hillcrest is coached by faculty sponsor Dr. Haiya Naftali and attorney advisor/alumni mom Kate Hopkins.