Howard Payne University students TJ Counce, senior from Lockhart, and Rachel Hughes, sophomore from Llano, won top witness awards at The University of Texas at Dallas Regional Mock Trial Tournament held in late February.

Mock Trial is a simulation of lower-court trials in the United States judicial system. The American Mock Trial Association acts as the governing body for intercollegiate Mock Trial competition and hosts tournaments at universities across the nation to provide opportunities for college students to gain experience for future law careers. Through the trial simulations, students develop critical thinking and public speaking skills, as well as a knowledge of legal practices and procedures.

Both Counce and Hughes are students in HPU’s Guy D. Newman Honors Academy. Lorianna Kelley, assistant professor of government, is the team sponsor.

“I’m very proud of TJ and Rachel’s successes,” said Kelley. “They worked hard preparing for the tournament and represented the university well.”

Pictured above are HPU students Rachel Hughes, left, and TJ Counce.