(Oklahoma City – Feb. 26) - Ada High School and Christian Heritage Academy have advanced to the Oklahoma High School Mock Trial Championship to be held Tuesday at the OU Law Center in the Bell Courtroom. The competition will begin at 5:30 p.m.

Ada High School will compete against Del City’s Christian Heritage Academy with the winner representing Oklahoma at thenational finals in Atlanta , May 6-10.

Ada High School had three teams entering the competition. This year’s mock trial team advancing to the state level is Ada High School – Maroon team and is coached by Angie Dean and its attorney coach Frank Stout. Returning for a third year on the team are Kelli Clark, April Hanson, Lance Keenan and Brock Mann. Second-year team members are Joel Allen, Cara Cliburn and Evan Stallings. New to the team are Ronald Lucas, Corbin Mankin, Katie Reddick and Meghan Whiting.

“Mock Trial not only gives students the chance to learn about law and how our legal system works, but it also provides an avenue for students to enhance their speaking and presentational skills,” said Ada High School’s teacher coach Angie Dean. “This program undoubtedly helps students become more confident public speakers and strengthens their ability to think on a more complex level. I can’t think of a high school class or extracurricular activity that challenges students the way in which mock trial does. I am very proud to be a part of such a wonderful program!”

Christian Heritage Academy entered two teams. This year’s mock trial team advancing to the state level is Christian Heritage Academy – Crusaders and is coached by Jerrid Eischen and its attorney coach Jennifer Miller. Returning for a fourth year on the team is Joe Crow . Second-year team members are Patrick Burroughs, A ddi Ellis, Jared Miller, Ryan Morrisett and Taylor Palmer. New to the team are Katie Ceyler, Andy Habib, Lindsey Littlejim and Jonathan Wong.

“The mock trial program not only teaches the students about the law and courtroom procedure, but also instills within each student skills which will benefit them throughout their lives,” said Christian Heritage Academy’s attorney coach Jennifer Miller. “The program gives students the ability to think and reason quickly, and it also teaches the students the benefits of hard work and dedication. The students gain self-esteem, poise and confidence.”

The mock trial program involves students portraying attorneys and witnesses in a courtroom setting, with judges and attorneys evaluating their performance. This year's case is The State of Oklahoma v. Montana Grimm.  The defendant is charged with homicide for providing methamphetamine to a friend, who was found dead after a fire thought to have been started by a meth lab located in a cabin on a remote lake in Oklahoma.

The program, now in its 29th year, is sponsored by the Oklahoma Bar Association Young Lawyers Division and the Oklahoma Bar Foundation. Jennifer Scott Moradi of Stewart Abstract and Title in Oklahoma City served as chairperson of the Young Lawyers Division Mock Trial Committee. 

"The mock trial program is a great way for our association to connect with students and get them involved and informed about the law and how it works,” said OBA President Jon Parsley of Guymon. “The students show complete dedication and a desire to learn skills that will help them become more successful through life.”

Judge Edward Cunningham will serve as presiding judge during the contest finals. Scoring judges will be Judge Daman Cantrell, Judge Kenneth Dickerson, Judge David B. Lewis, Judge Millie Otey and Judge Dana L. Rasure. Nearly 400 judges and attorneys volunteered their time to work with mock trial teams as coaches and to conduct the competitions.

The two teams moving on to the finals have advanced through a field of 45 teams across the state.  The first rounds of competition began in January.