2025 -- H 6168
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LC002626
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S T A T E O F R H O D E I S L A N D
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 1
Mock Trial Tournament, in which middle and high school students from across the State compete 2
for the championship title; and 3
WHEREAS, Sixteen qualifying teams participate in the single-elimination playoff rounds 4
of the Mock Trial competition and all participants are provided with a case packet that contains 5
stipulations, exhibits, witness statements, complaints, and other types of documents related to the 6
current year's case. Teams then go head-to-head in three qualifying trials at courthouses around 7
Rhode Island before actual magistrates and judges, arguing their side of the case; and 8
WHEREAS, Students from most states and territories, and from many foreign countries, 9
spend part of each school year planning mock trial strategy, memorizing witness statements, and 10
preparing to defend or prosecute cases. While role-playing the parts of witnesses and attorneys, 11
they are acquiring or polishing important life skills, while also enjoying the experience; and 12
WHEREAS, The mock trial experience is one of the premier experiences being lauded by 13
college admissions programs. Students learn critical thinking and how to analyze problems while 14
improving their public speaking. They also develop confidence and learn to work collaboratively 15
while gaining a deeper knowledge and understanding of civics and our American legal system; 16
and 17
WHEREAS, The final trial of the 2025 Rhode Island Mock Trial Tournament was held at 18
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the Rhode Island Supreme Court on March 6, 2025, with Bishop Hendricken High School 1
defeating the Jacqueline M. Walsh School for the Arts of Pawtucket. The Hendricken team 2
members are Benjamin Warr, President of the club, Lucas Caporaso, Nathan Viera, Jacob 3
Harrigan, Adam Barboza-Simpkins, Matthew Pappas, Edward Saroka, and Ryan Lopez. The team 4
was coached superbly by Donna Lynch, Moderator, and Rebecca Warr, an outside attorney who 5
assists the team on a weekly basis; now, therefore be it 6
RESOLVED, That this House of Representatives of the State of Rhode Island hereby 7
congratulates the Bishop Hendricken Mock Trial Team on winning the Rhode Island Mock Trial 8
Tournament for the first time in school history. We furthermore wish the Bishop Hendricken 9
Mock Trial Team continued success at the National Mock Trial Championships being held in 10
Phoenix, Arizona, from May 7-11, 2025; and be it further 11
RESOLVED, That the Secretary of State be and hereby is authorized and directed to 12
transmit a duly certified copy of this resolution to the Bishop Hendricken Mock Trial Team. 13
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