Celebrating Excellence: Anwar McKinney and Brock Dukes Shine at the 2025 Marshall-Brennan Moot Court Competition
Southern University Laboratory School is proud to celebrate two outstanding scholars, Anwar McKinney and Brock Dukes, for their exceptional performance at the 2025 Marshall-Brennan Moot Court Competition. This prestigious event challenges high school students to argue complex constitutional issues before panels of legal professionals, fostering critical thinking, advocacy skills, and a deep understanding of the law.
This year’s moot court problem centered on the Fourth Amendment—specifically, whether a student’s right to privacy was violated when school officials and a School Resource Officer searched her cell phone without a warrant. The case raised timely questions about balancing student privacy rights with school safety policies in an era of digital technology. Competitors were tasked with analyzing landmark cases such as New Jersey v. T.L.O., Riley v. California, and Schneckloth v. Bustamonte, applying these precedents to a fictional scenario involving alleged threats, social media posts, and zero-tolerance policies.
Against this challenging backdrop, Anwar McKinney delivered a stellar performance, earning 1st place overall. His commanding presence, persuasive arguments, and mastery of constitutional principles secured him the top honor and the opportunity to represent Louisiana in Washington, D.C. at the national Marshall-Brennan Moot Court Competition. This achievement reflects not only Anwar’s dedication but also his ability to think critically and advocate effectively on issues that impact students nationwide.
Equally impressive, Brock Dukes placed 4th, demonstrating exceptional skill and poise throughout the competition. His ability to articulate nuanced legal arguments and respond to rigorous questioning from judges exemplifies the caliber of talent we nurture at Southern University Laboratory School.
We commend Anwar and Brock for their hard work, preparation, and commitment to excellence. Their success underscores the importance of programs that empower students to engage with real-world legal issues and develop leadership skills that will serve them for a lifetime.
Congratulations, Anwar and Brock—you have made SULS proud! We look forward to cheering Anwar on as he competes on the national stage in Washington, D.C.
SULS Foundation
If you would like to continue seeing positive programming like this at Southern University Laboratory School, we invite you to support our efforts. Please visit our foundation page at https://foundation.sus.edu/give/campus-funds/southern-university-laboratory-school-annual-fund/. For more information, contact Carrington Hall at (225) 771-3490 or email Carrington_Hall@sulabschool.com. Your generosity helps us create transformative experiences for our students!
