Bill Text: MS HR112 | 2026 | Regular Session | Engrossed

Mississippi House Resolution 112

Bill Title: JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School Mock Trial Team; commend on excellent performance in Mississippi Bar Mock Trial Competition.

Sponsorship: Partisan Bill (Democrat 1)

Status: (Passed) 2026-03-17 - Enrolled Bill Signed [HR112 Detail]

Download: Mississippi-2026-HR112-Engrossed.html

MISSISSIPPI LEGISLATURE

2026 Regular Session

To: Rules

By: Representative Summers

House Resolution 112

(As Adopted by House)

A RESOLUTION COMMENDING AND CONGRATULATING THE JPS-TOUGALOO EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL TEAM UPON THEIR CHAMPIONSHIP SWEEP IN THE MAGNOLIA BAR ASSOCIATION MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION AND FOR RECEIVING THIRD PLACE AT THE MISSISSIPPI BAR HIGH SCHOOL MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION.

WHEREAS, the JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School (JTECHS) Mock Trial Team reigned supreme at the Magnolia Bar Association Mock Trial Competition and delivered an exceptional performance in the Mississippi Bar High School Mock Trial Competition, achieving a third place finish; and

WHEREAS, established by Jackson Public Schools in partnership with Tougaloo College, the JTECHS Program operates as a small, independent program on the Tougaloo College campus, allowing students to complete state graduation requirements for high school while working on college coursework; and

WHEREAS, the inaugural JTECHS class of Regal Eagles began in August 2018, and five years later, the JTECHS Mock Trial Team was formed through the leadership of Principal Ashley Molden, whose support allowed the program to be created and implemented; and

WHEREAS, after only one month of preparation, the newly formed mock trial team entered its first competition in Spring 2023, participating in the annual Magnolia Bar Association Mock Trial Competition, and the team achieved remarkable success in their debut appearance, placing second with only one point separating them from the winning team; and

WHEREAS, the program expanded in Spring 2024, and the growing JTECHS Mock Trial Team competed in both the Magnolia Bar Association Mock Trial Competition and the Mississippi Bar High School Mock Trial Competition; and

WHEREAS, building on their success from the previous year, the team won first place in the Magnolia Bar Association competition and placed sixth in the Mississippi Bar statewide competition; and

WHEREAS, the team continued to attract new participants, expanding enough to enter two teams in the Spring 2025 Mississippi Bar High School Mock Trial Competition, and the program reached new heights of success as one team received third place; and

WHEREAS, in the fall, JTECHS entered three mock trial teams in the Magnolia Bar Association Mock Trial Competition, and in a stunning shutout victory, the three teams achieved an extraordinary clean sweep, dominating the competition with first, second and third place rankings; and

WHEREAS, two JTECHS participants, Clarissa Coleman and Marvin Sanders, Jr., performed exceptionally well and were recognized as two of the top three attorneys in the competition; and

WHEREAS, showcasing their incredible talent and skill in their return to the Mississippi Bar championship this January, the JTECHS Mock Trial Team again ranked amongst the top teams in the state with a third place finish, and Clarissa Coleman continued to shine as a standout competitor, once more receiving honors as a top attorney; and

WHEREAS, through dedication, discipline and mentorship, the JTECHS Mock Trial Team has quickly established itself as one of the most successful and competitive mock trial programs in the state, and the key to this dynamic team's success has been the amazing team spirit and hours of diligent practice put in by each member: Anna Martin, Nicholas Sivak, Marvin Sanders, Jr., Marvin Summers, Travis Collins, Clarissa Coleman, Faith Malembeka, Kelsey Frazier, Aerial Bell, Lindsey Anderson, Elizabeth Stallworth, Jolie Stallworth, Morgan Sanders, Makaila Faith Nixon, Christian Steverson, Kylie Gillion, Kadience Tabb, Nadia Harper and Nadia Davis; and

WHEREAS, the JTECHS Mock Trial Team has been coached by Attorney Gayla Carpenter-Sanders and Attorney Catouche Body, both alumni of Tougaloo College and experts in the legal field, and by Ms. Felisha Burton and Ms. Alexandria Drake, teachers who inspire their students to achieve greatness and push them towards excellence; and

WHEREAS, it is the policy of the House of Representatives to recognize and commend outstanding Mississippi students, especially those such as the JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School Mock Trial Team, and it is with great pride that we congratulate this elite group of young advocates, who have brought honor and pride to Jackson Public Schools, Tougaloo College and the State of Mississippi:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby commend and congratulate the JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School Mock Trial Team upon their superb performances in the Magnolia Bar Association Mock Trial Competition and the Mississippi Bar High School Mock Trial Competition, and extend best wishes to the team for continued success in all their future endeavors.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That copies of this resolution be furnished to the JPS-Tougaloo Early College High School Mock Trial Team and to the members of the Capitol Press Corps.