80R21344 JHS-D

By: Hill H.R. No. 2630

R E S O L U T I O N

WHEREAS, The mock trial team from Richardson High School captured the 2007 state championship and went on to finish eighth at the national championships; and

WHEREAS, The state championship is the third in the school's history and the first for team coach Sara Hofeditz, a Richardson High School alumna and former mock trial state champion; the team from Richardson also won the state title in 2002, when Ms. Hofeditz was a senior, and in 2003; and

WHEREAS, The mock trial competition pits teams made up of 12 students from grades 10 to 12 against one another in a courtroom setting; the students prepare to act as both prosecution and defense, not knowing which side of the case they will try until the trial begins; and

WHEREAS, Junior Danny Weiner received one of 12 outstanding advocate awards at the national competition; his fellow team members included seniors Caitlin Barrett, Will Harpham, Kathryn Palagonia, and Michael Sheetz; juniors Jordyn Anders, Elise Miller, and Andrew Townsend; and sophomores Jessa DeGroote, Ilva Fejzulla, Whitney Nwaogwugwu, and Victoria Varner; and

WHEREAS, In addition to benefiting from the superior coaching of Ms. Hofeditz, the team also received the support of attorney advisor Chris Pochyla; and

WHEREAS, Excelling in competition requires commendable hard work and commitment, and the members of the Richardson High School mock trial team indeed merit special recognition for their accomplishments; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives of the 80th Texas Legislature hereby congratulate Sara Hofeditz and the members of the Richardson High School mock trial team on their state championship and their success at the national competition and extend best wishes to them for good fortune in all their future endeavors; and, be it further

RESOLVED, That an official copy of this resolution be prepared for the team as an expression of high regard by the Texas House of Representatives.