When the members of the mock trial heard their team being called for 5th place at the state competition they almost didn’t believe they’re ears.
“I literally lost my mind because I thought — like the moment they said we’re going to announce the top five teams, I immediately told my teammates I think we did good, but I don’t know if we made it that far,” Senior Ayanna Catlin said.
Out of 24 teams at the state competition MHS finished 5th place, their highest finish ever. Senior Naomi Pleasant also was shocked to hear her team being called.
“…I think I was really excited because we were so doubtful this year because we went up against some of the best teams in the state…we were just so unsure of ourselves and didn’t think that we had done that great,” she said.
Mock trial introduces students to the legal system at a young age. Students take on roles of witnesses and attorneys while learning more about the legal system. Students are given a big case of background information and prepare to argue both sides. They make arguments, support them through physical evidence and testimonies, then compete against other schools. Judges, attorneys, and members of a community evaluate their presentations and arguments.
“The most challenging part is arguing objections off the top of your head. You have to anticipate what the other team is going to think, especially if they throw an objection you’re not as familiar with,” Catlin said.
Thinking critically plays a big role in Mock Trial. Teams must always stay on their toes because they never know what the other team is going to say. It also helps build confidence. Speaking in a room full of people can be nerve-wrecking to some people. So it takes a lot of confidence to be in Mock Trial.
“They have to think really critically because they never know what the other team is going to say, so they have to always be thinking on their feet,” said Mrs. Alison Skertic, who co-sponsors the team with Mrs. Courtney Gabriel.
When doing Mock Trial you have no idea what you’re going to say or be asked. It’s basically an improv trial where you get to show your character and say whatever until the lawyer stops you.
“The exciting part is crosses, being on cross examination as a witness where directs is mostly you practicing that whole time,” Pleasant said.
This year the school had two teams. One team won the championship in Hammond, and the other, mostly newcomers, was 5th place, but also scored well.
“It just shows they do so much hard work because it’s all on them. They’re the ones who have to learn it, memorize it, and get up there, so I was really excited and proud,” Mrs. Skertic said.
