(Story courtesy Edgefield County School District)
Strom Thurmond High School’s mock trial team won its third straight state title Saturday, March 14, at the Richland County Judicial Center.
It was the team’s seventh title within the last decade and 12th state championship overall.
Team members include Raina Barrs, Rebecca Carpenter, Dennis Fraser, Joseph Greene, Julianne Harper, S’Mya Lovett, Carter Massey, Olivia O’Gorman, Toney Robinson, Lilly Smith, Olivia Stevens, Evan Williams, and Adelaide Zelmer. Team coaches include Lead Teacher Coach Tommy Behr, Attorney Coach Blair Massey, and Teacher Coach Ruth Bledsoe.
The Rebels advance to the High School Mock Trial (HSMT) National Finals Competition May 4-7 in Des Moines, Iowa.
The HSMT Program is a hands-on exercise in learning about due process. It is most often conducted as an extracurricular school activity. According to the South Carolina Bar Association, which sponsors the state competition each year, The goal of Mock Trial is to educate students about the basis of our American judicial system and the mechanics of litigation. Through participation in the Mock Trial program, students will increase basic skills such as listening, speaking, writing, reading, critical thinking and problem analysis.
The Rebels have won South Carolina Mock Trial championships in 2026, 2025, 2024, 2022, 2020, 2019, 2017, 2015, 2012, 1987, 1985 and 1984. Strom Thurmond High School was also the South Carolina state runner-up in 2014 and 2011.
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