Kauai High sets isle
record in trial contest

Kauai High School made it to the championship round of the National Mock Trial Competition -- the highest a Hawaii team had ever placed -- before losing to a team from California last week in Charlotte, N.C.

Kauai lost to Tamalpais High School from Mill Valley, Calif. The event was held on Friday and Saturday. The highest Hawaii has ever been ranked in the nationals was 13 in 1998, said state event coordinator Raydeen Graffam.

Kauai seniors Parris Zina and Alexandra Sirois won individual awards as Outstanding Attorney and Outstanding Witness, respectively.

Kauai, the Hawaii champion from 1997 to 2003, was determined to return to the nationals this year, said Graffam, who accompanied the team. They lost last year to Kalani High School after winning seven years in a row.

The mock trial competition is designed to teach students about the legal system and to develop public speaking skills. Students assume the roles of the prosecution and the defense, and battle it out in front of real judges.