Columbia, SC - The Strom Thurmond High School Mock Trial Team captured its state record 10th state championship on Saturday, March 9, 2024, in Columbia, S.C., and was later honored by members of the S.C. State Senate for their achievement on Thursday, March 21, 2024.

The team now advances to the mock trial national competition in May, when the Delaware Law Related Education Center, Inc. will host the 2024 National High School Mock Trial competition in Wilmington, DE, on May 2-5, 2024.

Strom Thurmond Mock Trial team members include Mina Allen, Raina Barrs, Elizabeth Busby, Joseph Greene, Julianne Harper, Carter Massey, Olivia O'Gorman, Kimberly Ramirez, Toney Robinson, Klara Rochau, Emma Smith, Lilly Smith, Evan Williams, Autumn Wingard and Eriz Zelmer. Team coaches include teacher coach, Thomas Behr; attorney coach, Blair Massey; and assistant coaches Denise Jackson, Steve McKinney and Derek Rhodes.

“I have been beyond impressed and thoroughly pleased with the desire of these students to improve and compete,” stated Behr, who is in his first season as the team’s teacher coach. “They have been wonderful to work with, and they continue to work very hard.”

“Every single year these students rise to the occasion, and they are fantastic,” added Massey, who also serves on the Edgefield County Board of Education. “They continue to amaze me.”

The High School Mock Trial (HSMT) Program is a hands-on exercise in learning about due process. It is most often conducted as an extracurricular school activity.

According to the South Carolina Bar Association, which organizes and leads HSMT, the goal of the program is to educate students regarding the American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. Through participation in the Mock Trial program, students increase basic skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading, critical thinking and problem analysis.

Each participating school enters a team sponsored by a volunteer teacher that is composed of between seven and 18 students. Teams try each year's fictitious case against other teams at regional competitions in February. The top 12 teams compete at the state championship in March. The South Carolina Bar High School Mock Trial champion represents South Carolina at the National High School Mock Trial Championship, Inc.

The Rebels have now earned the title of South Carolina Mock Trial State Champions in 2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2012, 1987, 1985 and 1984. Additionally, Strom Thurmond High School was the South Carolina state runner-up in 2014 and 2011.

Strom Thurmond Mock Trial advanced to this school year’s state competition by placing first in the Lexington Region Mock Trial competition. An added highlight from that event included the Rebels earning the Lexington Regional’s “Professionalism and Civility Award”.