Years of late night practices, witness objections, closing and opening statements have led the senior of mock trial to this moment. For the seniors, this year has made a huge impact on the team, and their last season will be the best the team has ever had. This year’s case: a celebrity chef has mysteriously been poisoned by a contestant on their cooking show and our seniors will use this case and the evidence given to make our defense and prosecution teams the best at county competition this year. The team sorted through all the elaborate evidence and complex witness statements and worked together under pressure to win this year’s county competition. This year will prove the dedication and time the seniors put into the team.

Senior and co-captain of the team Andrew John is now into his 3rd year of mock trial and hopes to be an attorney to either defense or prosecution. John’s leadership and hard work throughout his time in mock trial has really shined and become one of the main reasons that he was made captain. “I was surprised that I was captain, and honestly, I am a little nervous, but I do think that I will be able to lead a team this year,” John said. “We have a really strong team …, and with the addition of new members, we’ll be able to perform very well.” John wants to continue helping the new people on the team with debate strategies such as crosses, directs, openings, and closing. He will continue to use his knowledge that he has gained from his years of mock trial to lead the team to the top and win county. “My legacy would be to improve the team and help new members understand how to do everything when it comes to being an attorney so they can win,” John said.

“Mock trial has given me a chance to improve my confidence in myself”

– Nat Woodall

While John is focused as an attorney, we have Natalie Woodall as the team bonding member on the executive board this year. Woodall joined the team in her sophomore year and now has three years of experience as a witness to bring to the team. Both seniors aim to make an impact on next year’s team, and they have been working diligently to ensure their team’s success. “My experiences have always been great with this team,” Woodall said. Sharing your kindness and love can make a difference in how people operate with the other members of the team. “I want to be able to create an environment that is open and welcomes kindness and empathy,” Woodall said. These simple and fun activities can make someone’s day, whether the outcome of the scrimmage was good or bad. After a scrimmage with another school, activities such as having lunch together or going to someone’s house to talk can really bring team members closer together. ”We want to have the team as one unified group,” Woodall said. Mock trial isn’t just a club, it’s a community of all kinds of people that you might have never even thought to talk to or get along with. This team is a place where everyone has the same opportunities to excel for the club and to learn about various life skills that can be applied in everyday life. “Mock trial has given me a chance to improve my confidence in myself,” said Woodall.

While the seniors are leaving their mark, the team’s dedicated coach, Mrs. Jones, has been a key factor in how this program has been succeeding these past years. Jones organizes scrimmages for the team, hosts fundraisers to raise money for the club, and provides well-needed constructive criticism to those who need it. Jones has put a lot of time and effort into this team to make sure that not only the team wins the county, but that each student learns more about where they stand in the subject of law. “I’m really excited because we have a great combination of older members who want to leave a legacy and that know the importance of teaching, and they aren’t just competing for themselves, but also helping the newer members be successful,” Jones said. Mrs. Jones said that she doesn’t have a legacy or philosophy for the team “and the reason why is because mock trial is one of those things where I feel like I learn so much from the students,” Jones said.

At the end of this year, this year’s seniors will move on– but the skills, lessons, and relationships they have made these past few years will always stay with them and will help them in the future. Mock trial will forever be a place where students will be welcomed with open arms. Future members will carry the dedication, determination, and heart of mock trial just like these seniors and the coach have been doing for years.