STAR JOURNAL REPORT

The Rhinelander High School mock trial season officially came to a close Sunday with an awards banquet held at Holiday Acres Resort. Lettering for the third time were seniors, Tyler Fredrick, Emily McFarland and Mason Hageny.  Junior, Ben Kubisiak and sophomore, Carmen Ibarra earned their second letters, and first-time letter winners were sophomores, Alexa Adams, Holly Puza and Nathan Roberts.

Certificates of participation were awarded to Alyssa Wiedeman, Rory Schwarz, and Makenzie Denny.

Coaches Kathy Vick-Martini, left, and Ann Munninghoff Eshelman were honored by the students for their dedication. Both women came out of retirement to coach the mock trial team this season. Submitted photo.

Students were recognized for their individual performances during the season, including a Best Attorney award for Tyler Fredrick, and perfect scores at regionals by Fredrick, McFarland, Hageny, Ibarra and Roberts.

The banquet also honored head coach Kathy Vick-Martini and attorney coach Ann Eshelman.  Vick-Martini has coached the RHS mock trial team since its inception in 1983. Eshelman has been involved in the mock trial program over the past three decades as a judge, case writer, tournament coordinator, and attorney coach.

Both women came out of retirement to coach this year’s team when they learned that no one had been hired to coach the program.  The school district is currently seeking coaches for the 2018-2019 school year.