The Freedom Cup resides at Houston High School.
The HHS Constitution Project team defeated School of the Osage on Wednesday to win the state championship for the first time in school history. The finals were held Wednesday at the Missouri State Highway Patrol General Headquarters and the Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City.
Two Houston students won top individual awards — senior Kaitlynne Garnica for crime investigation and sophomore Gracyn McNiell for trial advocacy. Each will receive a $1,000 scholarship.
Students competed in three disciplines — crime scene investigation, journalism and trial advocacy - as part of the Constitution Project. Each team worked with skilled, local mentors: Jim McNiell (police), Brad Gentry and Isaiah (journalism) and Sean Smith (attorneys). The team's coach was Jeff McNiell.
HHS advanced to state competition after defeating three teams in competition at the Greene County Public Safety Center in Springfield and the Texas County Justice Center in October.
Houston team members are:
•Crime Scene Investigation: Shaun Buck, Carli Cummins, Elliot Greiner, Tyler Kelly and Owen Wells.
•Journalism: Christian Royer, Lee Skaggs, Stuart Smith and Hudson Volk.
•Trial Advocacy: Brody Adkison, Adyson Dailing, Arianna Flores, Gracyn McNiell and Riley Reed.
