(Oklahoma City – March 5, 2008) Atoka High School’s team earned sixth place in the Oklahoma High School Mock Trial Competition. Del City’s Christian Heritage Academy won the championship and will represent Oklahoma in the national competition to be held in Wilmington, Del., in May.

The mock trial program involves students portraying attorneys and witnesses in a courtroom setting, with judges and attorneys evaluating their performance. The program, now in its 28th year, is sponsored by the Oklahoma Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Oklahoma Bar Foundation.

OBA President Bill Conger of Oklahoma City said, “Atoka was among just eight teams to make it to the semifinal round. Reaching that round is quite an achievement and reflects the hard work of the students and their coaches. 

Atoka High School’s team was coached by teacher Glenda Graham and its attorney coach James Thornley. Returning for a fourth year on the team were Roy McIninch, Danni Praytor and Matt Sandman. Third-year team members were Jennifer Fugate, Marissa Hook and Samantha King. Second-year team members were Wendy Barton, Kevin Feuerhelm, Shailey Holliday and Billy Nelson. New to the team were Atlanta Nichols and Stormy Self.

Out of the 51 teams that began competing in January, the top finishers are, in second place, Clinton High School; third, Ada High School; fourth, Jenks High School; fifth, Catoosa High School; seventh, Holland Hall, Tulsa; and eighth, Broken Arrow High School.

Judge Edward Cunningham served as presiding judge during the contest finals. Scoring judges were Judge Daman Cantrell, Judge Kenneth Dickerson, Judge David B. Lewis, Judge Millie Otey and Judge Dana L. Rasure.

More than 400 judges and attorneys volunteered their time to work with mock trial teams as coaches and to conduct the competitions. Rachel McCombs of Oklahoma City served as chairperson of the Young Lawyers Division Mock Trial Committee.