In a continued effort to fulfill Reading Schools’ mission of “Inspiring the leaders of tomorrow with engaging opportunities today – The Blue Devil Way,” members of the Reading Mock Trial program once again expanded their impact by competing in Ohio’s Moot Court State Championships.
Two teams represented Reading with distinction. Team 1—comprised of Kaine Colvard, Mouhamadou Ndiaye, and Alan Noffsinger—delivered an outstanding performance, finishing with a 9–3 record in judges’ ballots and earning multiple individual honors. Alan Noffsinger was recognized as the 2nd Best Petitioner Advocate in the entire competition, while Mouhamadou Ndiaye concluded his mock trial and moot court career with a 3rd Best Petitioner Advocate award.
Team 2—William Moeggenberg, Kiersten Kleehamer, and Giovanni Escobedo—also competed admirably, finishing with a strong 7–6 record. Their efforts further demonstrate the depth and promise of Reading’s Mock Trial program.
In recognition of their achievements, all student competitors received a formal proclamation from State Representative Rachel Baker, highlighting the significance of their accomplishments at the state level.
The success did not stop there. Reading students have also earned national and international opportunities. Kaine Colvard has been accepted to compete in the prestigious Gladiator International Competition, while Kiersten Kleehamer has been selected for the in-person Gladiator competition in Philadelphia this July. Kiersten is the first Reading Mock Trial student to earn this distinction. The Gladiator competition features some of the most accomplished high school mock trial competitors from around the world.
These achievements reflect not only the dedication and talent of Reading’s students, but also the strength of a program that continues to grow and provide meaningful, real-world learning experiences. The future of Reading Mock Trial is incredibly bright.