[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 65 (Thursday, May 12, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E873]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        CONGRATULATING THE MOCK TRIAL TEAM OF ADAMS HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. JOE DONNELLY

                               of indiana

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 12, 2011

  Mr. DONNELLY of Indiana. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the Mock 
Trial team of Adams High School in South Bend, Indiana, winners of the 
2011 National Mock Trial Competition. Adams High School once again 
displayed its superior Mock Trial skills in its second national title 
and tenth time placing in the top ten nationally. The competition, held 
in the Sandra Day O'Connor U.S. District Courthouse in Phoenix, Arizona 
on May 6 and 7, 2011, featured 48 teams from 43 states, Guam, the 
Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands, South Korea and Australia. 
Each team competed in four rounds before the final deciding match. 
Adams defeated the Missouri state champions to cap its remarkable 
season which included winning the Indiana state championship in March.
  The team, nicknamed ``The Ruckus,'' practiced 40 hours each week 
leading up to the national competition. The team members include 
seniors David Kern, Matt Caponigro, Toby Stoner, Peter Doyle, Geoff 
Burdell and Czesia Eid, and junior Jeremy Doyle. The team was coached 
by Adams teacher Heath Weaver with the assistance of Coaches John 
Scanlan, Erin Linder, Andrew Jones, Lucas Burkett, and timekeeper Maria 
Caponigro.
  Mock Trial competitions require research, mastery of legal issues, 
honing of courtroom tactics, and strong teamwork. Each team is called 
on to prepare a legal case from the perspectives of both the plaintiff 
and defendant and assume the roles of lawyers and witnesses at trial. 
Peter Doyle was recognized as Best Witness in the national competition, 
an honor reflecting his extraordinary contribution to the victory. 
Again, I offer my congratulations to the members of the team, the 
coaches, Adams High School, and members of the community who supported 
the team throughout their training. The Adams Mock Trial team has 
represented Indiana, the City of South Bend, their school and 
themselves with excellence and distinction.

                          ____________________