Congratulations to the HHS Mock Trial team, one of 24 teams from five districts, who competed in the 2021 YMCA State Mock Trial Championships, March 18 - 21. Extra kudos to the following students who received special recognition:
Best Witness Nominees
- Paige Frings
- Gabe Henderson
- Naomi Neve
Best Attorney Nominees
The HHS Mock Trial Team has been actively competing for six years. The team has been invited to the State Championships for four of those years (though last year, the competition didn’t take place due to Covid-19 restrictions).
Mock Trial competitions are a unique blend of law, debate, and drama. Students learn about issues and court procedures while sharpening their critical thinking and public speaking skills. Case topics vary, requiring the team to develop a range of skills as students are pressed to think on their feet while in the courtroom. This year, the team of thirteen students was taxed with the question of whether the head of an organization involved in the violent removal of a city statue during a group protest should be held legally responsible.
HHS senior Louise Phillips has been a team member for four years, filling the role of witness as a freshman and as an attorney for her remaining three years. And while the stress during competition is real, Louise assured us that, “our group makes it fun,” because team members encourage each other’s diverse intellectual talents.
HHS Social Studies teacher and Mock Trial Coach Heidi Morris describes the Mock Trial team as a family. According to Morris, members are “fiercely protective and supportive of each other” and she has enjoyed watching the connections students have made as part of this team.
Paige Frings, also a senior at HHS, has filled the role of attorney for four years, doubling up this year as a witness, a role for which she was nominated for the title of “Best Witness.” She also commented that “absolutely anyone can enjoy Mock Trial.” While she initially felt intimidated as a freshman, after a week or two, she was hooked. “There’s always something new to discuss and explore.”
Would you like to join the 2021-2022 HHS Mock Trial Team? Contact Heidi Morris at Heidi.Morris@hocksd.org.