The jury has come to a decision: GRC Mock Trial has won runner-up at the state competition for the second straight year.
“GRC Mock Trial has become one of the most successful mock trial programs in the state over the last few years,” said Coach Amber Murphy.
Mock Trial is a simulated trial where students memorize a script and act out a real court case with an opposing team. Each individual student takes on different roles ranging from witness to attorney. Students are expected to be able to interact on the spot with the other team.
The Kentucky High School Mock Trial Association releases a case every year that contains witness affidavits, exhibits, and pre-trial documents. Each team then creates their own questions, theories, and themes for both the defense and plaintiff/prosecution sides of the case.
“I say all the time that students who do mock trial in high school know objections better than many students entering law school,” Mrs. Murphy said. “Our goal is to present a clear and precise case to the jury while being more prepared than any other team competing.
There are three attorneys and three witnesses that compete per team during a round in real courtrooms with real judges, attorneys, and law students scoring each round.
“As a witness, I was more focused on working on my character and knowing my affidavit,” said senior Genesis Smith. “Attorneys are more focused on preparing for the actual trial proceedings.”
The team had to prepare intensely, as students are judged on how they interact on the spot with the other team.
“We would run our directs, crosses, openings, and closings and we would nit pick them so that we had absolutely no mistakes left in them,” said sophomore Carter Johnston.
After months of hardwork and dedication, the results of the state competition made it all worth it. The GRC team won region and placed second in the state, while a few members of the team got special awards.
Ella Howton was named Top Witness in the state, Caroline Harper was named fourth best Attorney and Mallory Jones, a senior, was named Best Attorney in the championship round.
“There is just so much that goes into being prepared for the state level and it all goes towards strengthening the team too,” said Ella Howton, a junior on the team. “I have the experience to continue making our team stronger and stronger in years to come.”
The mock trial team could not have achieved their amazing accomplishments if they were not as committed as they have shown they are.
“I’ve learned the importance of carrying my weight when being part of a team from my weekend at the state competition,” said Smith. “We wouldn’t have gotten as far as we did if not everyone did their part.”
The lessons learned from the state competition have shown to be valuable life lessons.
“In a courtroom you have to hold yourself in a professional and civil manner, and I will carry that with me for the rest of my life,” said Johnston.
The team walked away with not only a state title, but a close knit group they can always fall back on.
“Our team’s bond is what carried us so far this year,” said Howton. “These people are so very special to me, and I wish I could keep them all with me.”
