FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                                                       
Contact: Rachelle DiStefano, Director, 510-670-4147
Claudia Medina, ACOE Communications, 510-670-7754

Amador Valley High Regains Title as Alameda County
Philip A. Harley Memorial Mock Trial Champions

HAYWARD, February 19, 2010 – Amador Valley High regained its title as the No. 1 team in the Alameda County Philip A. Harley Memorial Mock Trial competition. Amador Valley High beat Bishop O’Dowd on Thursday night’s final competition and will represent Alameda County at the statewide competition to be held March 19-21, in San Jose, California.
 
The two teams were evenly matched throughout most of the final competition, but Amador Valley High scored higher overall giving them a two point lead of 352 points to Bishop O’Dowd 350 points.

“It is with great pride in the process that I congratulate the Amador Team for a hard fought victory. I also congratulate each participating student as well as the teachers and parents who supported their efforts.  Every student is a winner and they bring honor to their schools and families” said Alameda County Schools Superintendent Sheila Jordan “Learning the art of debate and the ability to work as a team are critical skills that will be useful all through their lives. I especially want to thank the group of legal professionals who give freely of their time and serve as real life models and mentors for every student involved.”

The other high schools that competed in this year’s county Mock Trial competition are
American High School (Fremont), C.O.I.L-Circle of Independent Learning Charter School (Fremont), East Bay Arts High School (Hayward), Granada High School (Livermore), K.I.P.P. King High School (San Lorenzo), Moreau Catholic High School (Hayward), Oakland Tech High School (Oakland), Piedmont High School (Piedmont), and Skyline High School (Oakland).

This year’s mock trial competition was renamed in honor of Mr. Philip A. Harley, partner of the law offices of Kazan, McClain, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley. The firm’s financial support sponsored new student groups to participate and gain valuable life-long character building skills and the potential to become a new generation of talent and passion for the law.

“We are very proud of the students for their accomplishments and are delighted that our support has helped give them the opportunity to succeed” said Steven Kazan, Managing Partner of Kazan, McClain, Lyons, Greenwood & Harley.

Over 80 Alameda County lawyers and judges volunteered to score and preside during competitions taking place over a six-week period. We also thank Alameda County Presiding Judge Jon Rolefson who presided over the finals in Department 1 of the Rene C. Davidson Courthouse. 

A reception celebrating all of Alameda County’s Philip A. Harley Memorial Mock Trial teams, and individual student distinctions, will be held Tuesday March 2, 2010 at 4.30 p.m. at the Alameda County Office of Education, 313 W. Winton Ave. in Hayward.
 

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