Staff Report
Feb 20, 2024
Students from Glenwood Springs High School demonstrated their legal acumen and prowess at the Colorado Bar Association’s 2024 Mock Trial Program held last weekend at the Garfield County Courthouse, earning top honors among five teams from three high schools across the state.
The legal scenario this year centered around a contentious lawsuit involving two attorneys and allegations related to the violation of COVID-19 orange level restrictions during a New Year’s Eve party at the end of 2020. The plaintiff accused the defendant of hosting an overly crowded event without proper precautions, leading to the plaintiff contracting COVID-19, a charge the defendant refuted by highlighting the plaintiff’s autoimmune condition and lack of preventive measures.
Teams from Glenwood Springs, Grand Junction, and Yuma high schools took on the roles of attorneys and witnesses, navigating the intricacies of the case. Performance was key, as the mock trials focused on the students’ ability to convincingly portray their roles rather than the trial outcomes.
Glenwood Springs High School’s teams outperformed their competitors, with two teams securing first and second place finishes and securing a spot in next month’s state tournament. The state champions will move forward to compete for the National Championship in Delaware this May.
Glenwood Springs students Fay Van Moorsel, Addison Godes and Rose Corcoran were named among the five best witnesses. Their peers, Claire Quintenz, Eva Simpson and Sophie Erdman, were recognized as three of the top attorneys, showcasing the depth of talent on the Glenwood Springs team.
The victorious Glenwood Springs teams boasted a roster of dedicated students under the guidance of coaches Zac Parsons, Isabel Carlson, Ryan Feeney and James Fosnaught.
The state tournament is scheduled for March 8-9 at the Jefferson County Courthouse.