CHS PREVAILS IN MOCK TRIAL

Eight Coudersport High School students went from the musical stage and the basketball court into another performance venue on Wednesday and, once again, came out as winners.

For the second straight year, Coudersport took top honors in district competition for the Pennsylvania Mock Trial Championships, held at the McKean County Courthouse in Smethport.

Team members Emma Brink, Brian Wetzel, Aaron Chisholm, Sarah Bunch, Sheldon Carpenter, Melissa Gerner and Joe Bartholomew all had major roles in the school's production of "Fiddler on the Roof" last weekend.

An eighth member, Kristy Kamper, was the leading scorer on the girls' varsity basketball team.

On Wednesday, under the tutelage of advisors Theresa Daniels and Andy Watson, the Coudersport team demonstrated its courtroom skills to best entries from Austin, Port Allegany, Ridgway, Otto- Eldred and Kane.

Students played the roles of prosecutors and defense attorneys in a mock trial setting established under contest guidelines by the Pa. Bar Assn. Young Lawyers Division.

As district winner, Coudersport advances to Friday's regional competition in Williamsport against Bald Eagle High School. That winner heads to the state finals in Harrisburg March 28-29.

The Mock Trial Championships attracted 305 teams from 262 high schools across the state.