The courtroom simulation competition, Mock Trial, recently brought together fourteen high school teams from across the Blue Water Area with Yale High School taking first place. In the weekend competition, the Anchor Bay Green Team brought home second place, and Port Huron High School came in third.
Mock Trial is sponsored by the St. Clair County Bar Association and funded by an endowment with the Community Foundation. It demands many volunteer hours from local attorneys, judges, and school coaches. Every year, the presented “case” is different and requires many hours of preparation from each team.
This year’s case involved immigration and political asylum. With a combination of debate and acting skills, the students were judged by community members and given a critique of their performances in arguing the case. Cardinal Mooney Senior Ruben Garcia said mock trial has not only developed his skills as a public speaker and as a team member, but has also formed him into a leader.
Those sentiments ring true for most participants over the 14-year history of the Mock Trial program in the county. Regional competitions for Mock Trial are set for March 7 and state finals will be in Kalamazoo on March 21.
