FRANKFORT, Ky. -- After making it to the state finals for the first time, Highlands High School of Fort Thomas recently earned the championship title in the 2008 Kentucky High School Mock Trial Tournament. Highlands will compete at the National High School Mock Trial Tournament in Wilmington, Del., from May 7-11.

Highlands competed against duPont Manual High School of Louisville for the state title at the championship mock trial, which was held March 29 in the Supreme Court Courtroom at the Capitol. Highlands and duPont beat out six other school teams at the state competition March 28 in Lexington to make it to the championship round. This was also duPont’s first time competing in the state championship.

“The quality of the mock trial participants seems to get better each year,” said Patrick Yewell, executive officer of the Department of Juvenile Services for the Administrative Office of the Courts in Frankfort, which administers the program. “The time and dedication these students and coaches give to this program is remarkable. I want to thank Chief Justice Joseph E. Lambert and all of the justices, judges and attorneys for giving their time as well. This program would not be possible without their leadership and support.”

Highlands High School’s winning team members are Taylor Gross, Abby Middleton, Kate Mitchell, Keafer Mock, Mirza Popaja and Ellen Remley. Teacher Julie Kuhnhein and attorneys Catherine Howard and Matt Rich coach the team.

At the state competition, members from each of the eight teams were named to an All-Tournament Team and received an award for being a best attorney or best witness. From Highlands, Remley and Popajaw made the All-Tournament Team, receiving a Best Attorney award and a Best Witness award, respectively.

Since its inception in 1983, more than 12,000 students, 1,500 judges and 3,000 attorneys have taken part in the Mock Trial program. Today there are 40 Kentucky high schools with active Mock Trial teams.

A team from Highlands High School also won the state championship in March for the We the People … The Citizen and the Constitution civic education competition, which the Administrative Office of the Courts also administers. The team will compete for the national title May 2-4 in Washington.

The Administrative Office of the Courts supports the activities of 4,000 court system employees, including the elected offices of justices, judges and circuit court clerks, and executes the Judicial Branch budget.