Grady's Mock Trial Team earns City's Highest Honor

At their meeting Monday, Atlanta City Council honored the Mock Trial Team.

In May, the team placed fourth at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Phoenix, Ariz. Grady represented the state of Georgia in the competition, and the team battled 48 teams from across the country. 

For their accomplishments, Atlanta Mayor Kasim Reed, on June 6, presented the mock trial team with the Phoenix Award, the city's highest honor.

Dist. 6 Councilman Alex Wan also honored the team with an official proclamation for their achievements. 

“Our community and the entire city would like to congratulate each and every one of them for a job well done and for representing Atlanta well in such a prestigious national competition," Wan said Monday in a release.

Since it was established in 1995, Grady's mock trial team has earned 15 regional championships and five state championships. Last year, the team took the 2010 World Championship title at the Empire Mock Trial competition in New York City. 

At the competitions, students play the roles of attorneys and witnesses. They are given evidence and witness statements. Professional attorneys or judges serve as the presiding judges and jurors. Teams are evaluated on their ability to make a logical, cohesive and persuasive presentation.