FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

CONTACT:
Jennifer R. Meece, Secretary to Judge S. Dwight Osterud
Perrysburg Municipal Court
300 Walnut Street
Perrysburg, OH 43551-1455
Telephone: 419-872-7915; Fax: 419-872-7947
E-mail: jmeece@ci.perrysburg.oh.us

PERRYSBURG COURT EXPLORERS HOLD AWARDS BANQUET

May 27, 2010 – Perrysburg, Ohio – The Perrysburg Court Law & Government Explorer Post held its annual awards banquet recently at Carranor Hunt & Polo Club.

The graduating seniors were recognized for their participation in mock trial and were awarded scholarships to be used for their higher education.  Graduating seniors with four years of mock trial participation include Katie Cottle, Lauren Smith and Yufei Tian.  Stephanie Messenger, three years mock trial competition. Jonathan Elder and Kaitlyn Ireland, two years mock trial experience.  Caroline Nelson, one year mock trial experience.

The mock trial coaches, Peter R. Casey, III, Adam Nowland, Judge S. Dwight Osterud, Kent Riesen, Dr. Beth Rohrbacher and Dan Weiss, presented the following awards at the banquet:

Rookie of the Year to the Explorer who displays outstanding skill and fortitude during their first year of mock trial competition: JORDAN BENSCH.  Best Witness awarded to the Explorer who exhibits outstanding debate skills that advance the interests of the team in mock trial competition: YUFEI TIAN.  Best Attorney awarded to the Explorer who exhibits outstanding advocacy skills in mock trial competition: JONATHAN ELDER. Gibraltar Award presented to the Explorer who exhibits dedication, loyalty and commitment to their fellow team members in mock trial competition: LAUREN SMITH. Backbone Award presented to the Explorer who displays outstanding skill and courage under persistent pressure of mock trial competition: MORGAN BAKIES.

Team Penguins won the Wood District mock trial competition and advanced along with Team Redhawks to Regional competition.

Team Penguins coached by Kent Riesen and Dan Weiss include: Jordan Bensch, Shelby Buzzell, Kaitlyn Ireland (District Outstanding Witness), Abdurrafey Khan (District Outstanding Witness), Robert Kitson (District Outstanding Attorney), Kristine Mallinson, Jessica Riesen and Kaylyn Weisenburger (District Outstanding Attorney).

Team Redhawks coached by Peter R. Casey, III and Adam Nowland include: Morgan Bakies (District Outstanding Witness), Katie Cottle, Sam Cottle, Jonathan Elder (District Outstanding Attorney), Russ Quick, Andrew Sironko (Regional Outstanding Attorney), Syifa Sjah, Lauren Smith (District Outstanding Attorney) and Yufei Tian (District and Regional Outstanding Witness).

Team Bearcats coached by Judge S. Dwight Osterud and Dr. Beth Rohrbacher include: Kat Dobbs, John Gadient, Peter Mackin, Addison Pope, Anne Redd (District Outstanding Attorney), Steve Scheramic, Christian Weiss and Jessica Zhang.

The Explorer Post will enter its tenth year of mock trial competition in the fall.  Students interested in joining the Post should contact Jennifer Meece, Secretary to Judge Osterud, by email at jmeece@ci.perrysburg.oh.us or call 419-872-7915.

 [Digital photograph is attached.]

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Mock Trial 2010 Award Recipients are Morgan Bakies - Backbone Award, Yufei Tian - Best Witness, Jonathan Elder - Best Attorney, Jordan Bensch - Rookie of the Year, Lauren Smith - Gibraltar