Valwood Mock Trial Finishes Second at Region

Valwood Mock Trial Finishes Second at Region

HAHIRA, GA – February 2, 2026 – Valwood Mock Trial earned Region 19 Runner-Up and will advance to the District Championship of the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition. The Valiants competed in three rounds of trials in the Region 19 tournament. Valwood’s Prosecution squad defeated Dougherty County and the Defense squad defeated Wayne County, both rounds by a sweep of the judges’ ballots. The deciding round, however, had been the first round, where the Valiants lost a split decision to Valdosta High School. Other schools in the tournament included Colquitt County, Deerfield-Windsor and Lowndes High. Valwood Mock Trial Coach Daryn Beasley said, "I am thrilled at the success we had as a team. These brilliant young women and men faced a lot of change and adversity this year, and I could not be more proud of them and their razor-sharp focus."

The Valiants were showered with individual awards. Senior Brody Burch won an Outstanding Witness Award and two Outstanding Performance Awards. Junior Vanessa Smith won an Outstanding Performance Award. Senior Destyn Lain won an Outstanding Witness Award. Sophomore Lillie Moore won an Outstanding Attorney Award. Freshman Annalee Studstill won an Outstanding Attorney Award.
Special recognition was bestowed by Georgia High School Mock Trial and the Young Lawyers Division of the State Bar of Georgia on Valwood’s four-year players, Ayla Bell, Ava Garrett and Team Captain Annabel Musgrove. "We love our committed four-year players," Beasley said. "With all the hours in courtrooms, classrooms and on the road, Valwood Mock Trial becomes a second family. These young ladies have contributed so much, and they will be missed."

Valwood had three courtroom artists submit sketches that they completed live during the day's rounds. Ayla Bell, Harper Dasher and Caroline Smothers produced drawings to be judged by a panel from the Savannah College of Art & Design. The Region Champion Court Artist will be announced at a later date.
The GHSMT District Championship will be held at the Lowndes County Judicial Complex on Saturday, February 28th. It will include Valwood, Valdosta High, Deerfield-Windsor and three schools from the Macon Region that are yet to be determined.

The Valwood Valiants Mock Trial roster this year includes: Ayla Bell, Elizabeth Booth, Brody Burch, Anna Kate Carter, Harper Dasher, Morgan Dosier, Ava Garrett, William Holloway, Destyn Lain, Aahna Mattis, Katie Min, Lillie Moore, Jack Morris, Annabel Musgrove, Makensie Nichols, Olivia Nijem, Kennedy Paylo, Vanessa Smith, Caroline Smothers, Evelyn Soshnik, Julia Soshnik and Annalee Studstill.