2025 -- H 6168

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LC002626

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     STATE OF RHODE ISLAND

IN GENERAL ASSEMBLY

JANUARY SESSION, A.D. 2025

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H O U S E   R E S O L U T I O N

CONGRATULATING THE BISHOP HENDRICKEN HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAM

ON WINNING THE RHODE ISLAND MOCK TRIAL TOURNAMENT FOR THE FIRST

TIME IN SCHOOL HISTORY AND WISHING THEM CONTINUED SUCCESS AT THE

NATIONAL MOCK TRIAL CHAMPIONSHIPS BEING HELD IN PHOENIX, ARIZONA,

FROM MAY 7-11, 2025

     Introduced By: Representatives Solomon, Shekarchi, Blazejewski, Chippendale,
Casimiro, Casey, Noret, Kennedy, Ajello, and Tanzi

     Date Introduced: April 03, 2025

     Referred To: House read and passed

     WHEREAS, The Rhode Island Legal Education Foundation hosts Rhode Island's annual

Mock Trial Tournament, in which middle and high school students from across the State compete

for the championship title; and

     WHEREAS, Sixteen qualifying teams participate in the single-elimination playoff rounds

of the Mock Trial competition and all participants are provided with a case packet that contains

stipulations, exhibits, witness statements, complaints, and other types of documents related to the

current year's case. Teams then go head-to-head in three qualifying trials at courthouses around

Rhode Island before actual magistrates and judges, arguing their side of the case; and

     WHEREAS, Students from most states and territories, and from many foreign countries,

spend part of each school year planning mock trial strategy, memorizing witness statements, and

preparing to defend or prosecute cases. While role-playing the parts of witnesses and attorneys,

they are acquiring or polishing important life skills, while also enjoying the experience; and

     WHEREAS, The mock trial experience is one of the premier experiences being lauded by

college admissions programs. Students learn critical thinking and how to analyze problems while

improving their public speaking. They also develop confidence and learn to work collaboratively

while gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of civics and our American legal system;

and

     WHEREAS, The final trial of the 2025 Rhode Island Mock Trial Tournament was held at

the Rhode Island Supreme Court on March 6, 2025, with Bishop Hendricken High School

defeating the Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Arts of Pawtucket. The Hendricken team

members are Benjamin Warr, President of the club, Lucas Caporaso, Nathan Viera, Jacob

Harrigan, Adam Barboza-Simpkins, Matthew Pappas, Edward Saroka, and Ryan Lopez. The team

was coached superbly by Donna Lynch, Moderator, and Rebecca Warr, an outside attorney who

assists the team on a weekly basis; now, therefore be it

     RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby

congratulates the Bishop Hendricken Mock Trial Team on winning the Rhode Island Mock Trial

Tournament for the first time in school history. We furthermore wish the Bishop Hendricken

Mock Trial Team continued success at the National Mock Trial Championships being held in

Phoenix, Arizona, from May 7-11, 2025; and be it further

     RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to

transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Bishop Hendricken Mock Trial Team.

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