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HCR 289

House concurrent resolution congratulating the 2026 Brattleboro Union High School championship mock trial team

2025-2026 Regular Session Introduced by Mollie Burke and 4 co-sponsors

Acknowledge and celebrate Brattleboro Union High School’s 2026 Vermont Mock Trial Championship win, recognizing students, coaches, and the program’s educational value.

Ceremonial Reading
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Bill Summary · HCR 289

Overview

  • Bill: H.C.R. 289
  • Jurisdiction: Vermont (House and Senate)
  • Session: 2025-2026
  • Type: House concurrent resolution
  • Introduced by: Representatives Kornheiser, Burke, Goodnow; Senators Harrison, Hashim
  • Last action: May 7, 2026 — On Consent Calendar

Purpose and Intent

  • Celebrate and recognize the achievement of the Brattleboro Union High School (BUHS) championship mock trial team in the 2026 Vermont Mock Trial Competition.
  • Acknowledge the educational value of mock trial programs in teaching courtroom procedure, evidence rules, critical thinking, and public speaking skills.
  • Share appreciation for the students, coaches, and advisors who contributed to BUHS’s success.

Key Provisions and Content

  • Statement of Achievement: Declares BUHS the 2026 championship mock trial team.
  • Contextual Details: Notes that the 2026 competition featured a criminal case involving murder as an accessory and conspiracy to commit murder, with teams drafting opening statements, questions, and closing arguments based on a materials packet (up to six witness affidavits and exhibits).
  • Curriculum Emphasis: Highlights that the competition includes instruction on courtroom procedure and rules of evidence, in addition to litigation-specific activities.
  • Participants Acknowledged: Identifies BUHS team members (attorneys and witnesses), faculty coaches, and the practicing attorney advisor.
    • BUHS student attorneys: Abraham Balint-Wohl, Danny Mahoney-Schmitt, Sal North, Isabel Young
    • BUHS student witnesses: Leland Stromberg, Eli Welch, Gilbert Komuves
    • Faculty coaches: Tessa Anders, Ashley Nadeau
    • Practicing attorney advisor: Alycia Sanders
  • Event Details: The 2026 competition was held at Vermont Law and Graduate School in South Royalton on March 14, 2026, with a panel of 15 judges from federal/state judiciary and legal practice.

Affected Parties

  • Primary beneficiaries: BUHS students who participated as attorneys and witnesses, BUHS faculty coaches, and BUHS as an institution.
  • Broader impact: Recognizes and promotes advancement of mock trial programs in Vermont high schools, potentially encouraging participation from other schools.

Procedural and Timeline Aspects

  • Commemoration: This is a ceremonial resolution, serving to formally congratulate and acknowledge BUHS’s achievement.
  • Effective Action: Resolution becomes official upon passage, with transmission of a copy to BUHS by the Secretary of State.
  • Status: On Consent Calendar as of May 7, 2026, indicating routine, non-controversial passage.

Summary

H.C.R. 289 is a formal, non-binding concurrent resolution congratulating the 2026 Brattleboro Union High School championship mock trial team for winning the Vermont Mock Trial Competition. It underscores the educational value of mock trial activities, details the case context and event logistics, and publicly recognizes the students, coaches, and advisor involved. The resolution directs the Secretary of State to send a copy to BUHS, and its passage on the consent calendar suggests broad, bipartisan support.

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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