HAHIRA — Valwood senior Thomas Griner has been selected by Georgia High School Mock Trial to be a member of the inaugural Student Competition Committee.
According to Richard Harris, director of GHSMT, “The purpose of the committee is to give students direct [contact] with me, with an emphasis on new ideas to improve the competition.”
Griner is one of 23 students from around the state of Georgia who were selected for their previous contributions to the statewide competition. The committee will also include students from Jonesboro, Clarke Central, Eagles Landing, Sherwood Christian, Paideia and several other schools. In addition to Harris, members of the State Bar of Georgia that comprise the annual Law Academy faculty provided input in the member selection process.
“I am not surprised that Thomas was selected for this position, based on his resume, but I am very proud of him,” said Daryn Beasley, Valwood Mock Trial coach. Griner, a four-year mock trial competitor for Valwood was admitted to the Student Bar of Georgia with honors last year and has been the Team Captain for two seasons.
“Thomas was a big part of our 2022 Region Championship and two state-finals appearances,” said Beasley, adding, “He is one of those rare player-coaches that elevate everyone else on the team.”
Griner has been pro-active in studying the rules of the Georgia High School Mock Trial competition, engaging with the Rules Subcommittee and Director Richard Harris to bring attention to multiple concerns about ethics and gameplay. The Student Competition Committee will meet several times throughout this season, with the state-wide competitions held in the spring.