Mililani High School's mock trial team, which just prevailed over longtime state champion Kauai High, will represent Hawaii at the national competition in Atlanta in May if it can raise the money to get there.

In mock trial, students play the roles of lawyers and witnesses, preparing both sides of a case and going to trial before real judges, who donate their time.

Hawaii's program was in danger of being dropped last year for lack of sponsorship, until the Young Lawyers Division of the Hawaii State Bar Association agreed to take it on.

“;The Mock Trial Program provides an incredible opportunity for high school students to develop their public speaking skills, to think outside the box,”; said Will Tanaka, state co-coordinator of the Mock Trial Competition and a director of the Young Lawyers Division. “;They ultimately gain a sense of who they are and see that if they work as a team, they can accomplish anything.”;

Kauai High had won the state championship for the last four years. Moanalua High and Hilo High were also finalists in the state competition.

Mililani's team needs to raise $11,000 to be able to compete at the nationals. It plans to take nine of the 21 students on its championship team to Georgia.

“;While we need to raise money so that we can at least take the minimum skeleton of a team, we really don't want any student who has been a part of this to lose out on this learning opportunity because of a lack of funding,”; said Amy Perruso, social studies teacher and Mililani mock trial coach.

Donations can be sent to the MHS Mock Trial Club at Mililani High School, 95-1200 Meheula Parkway, Mililani, HI 96789.