Two teams met on March 12 for the final round of the Ohio High School Mock Trial competition held at the Statehouse in Columbus.

Dayton Early College Academy argued for the prosecution, while Orange High School in Pepper Pike was the defense, in the mock trial before a panel of nine judges, including Ohio Supreme Court Justice William M. O’Neill, for the 33rd annual competition sponsored by the Ohio Center for Law-Related Education.

Orange High School took home the first-place trophy, as well as outstanding witness (Simon Wieder) and attorney honors (Tyler Nelson).

“We’ve been talking about this since freshman year and we’ve never gotten to state. Just to compete was in itself an award, but to win when they announced it – it was probably the most ecstatic I’ve ever felt. I couldn’t be prouder of myself and my team, and I can’t describe how happy I am right now,” Tyler Nelson said after the competition.

Dayton Early College Academy’s Sondos Issa said mock trial was a great experience that will help as she hopes to go to law school to become an international human rights attorney.

“Even if you don’t want to be a lawyer, I would definitely suggest somebody going in to it because it enhances your critical thinking, your learning. You can pick up on smaller details in your response. It really helps you a lot,” Issa said.

Ohio Mock Trial is the largest high school academic competition in the state. More than 3,500 students participate each year, and approximately 1,000 legal professionals volunteer to serve as judges, competition coordinators, and team advisors.

The video broadcast of the state championship is available on The Ohio Channel.