Harlan Institute Hosts Historic Virtual Supreme Court Competition for America's 250th Anniversary

The Harlan Institute has completed the 14th Annual Virtual Supreme Court Competition, marking a historic event in honor of America's 250th Anniversary. This year’s competition centered on the case Patriots v. Loyalists, challenging teams of high school students to research American history, craft persuasive appellate briefs, and argue their positions through video chats and oral arguments before a panel of judges.

On April 7, the Final Four round took place at the Georgetown Supreme Court Institute. The presiding judges included:

• Judge Kyle Duncan of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit
• Judge Gregory Maggs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Armed Forces

The first match featured:

• Petitioners: Team #24358 from Creekview High School (Texas) — Lauren Hohlt and Tzur Shalit. Coach: Jonathan Cartray.
• Respondents: Team #24627 from Regis High School (New York) — Cullen Brennan and Nicholas Kim. Coach: Eric DiMichele.

The second match included:

• Petitioners: Team #24346 from Greenwich High School (Connecticut) — Kaitlyn Qin and Diana Davidson. Coach: Aaron Hull.
• Respondents: Team #24266 from The Baldwin School (Pennsylvania) — Eileen Wang and Sarah Tarka. Coach: Athan Biss.

After two closely contested rounds, Team #24358 (Texas) and Team #24346 (Connecticut) advanced to the championship.

Following the Final Four, students visited the U.S. Supreme Court for a tour, lunch, and a lecture—a first-time experience for many. In the evening, the Championship Round was held at the National Archives, where the Declaration of Independence, Constitution, and Bill of Rights are permanently displayed. The historic setting provided a fitting backdrop for debating the foundational question of independence.

The presiding judges for the Championship Round included:

• Judge Duane Benton (U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit)
• Judge Neomi Rao (U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit)
• Justice Evan Young (Supreme Court of Texas)
• Judge Charles Eskridge (U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas)

Both teams delivered compelling arguments for and against independence. Ultimately, the judges declared Team #24358 (the Patriots)—represented by Lauren Hohlt and Tzur Shalit—as the champions. Diana Davidson from Team #24346 was recognized as the best oralist.

This event was a tribute to 250 years of independence and a memorable experience for all participants. Special thanks to Elizabeth Steeves (Yale) and Shemaiah DeJorge (Georgetown) for their coordination efforts.