RHS mock trial from a student’s perspective
RIDGWAY - The Ridgway Area High School mock trial team has had quite the journey over the past few weeks, as they will take their academic talents to Williamsport to compete at the Region 4 playoffs on March 14.
Julia Pruett, a senior and the president of the mock trial group, offered some of her input on what this experience has been like for herself and her teammates.
“Mock trial has been a bonding experience for our team,” Pruett said. “Our team never fails to support its members.”
She added that the structure of a mock trial can sometimes cause an individual to be defensive and take critical comments to heart, but again cited the strong support each team member has for each other.
“Our long bus rides home are full of excited conversation generous with compliments and praise,” Pruett said.
Pruett displays true qualities of a leader of a successful team, as she stated she feels a special sense of responsibility as the president of the group to help her teammates perform to the best of their ability.
RHS student Alexis Rohr, who plays the role as a defense ‘lawyer’ for the team, vividly described the comradery of the team.
“This mock trial team is like a little army,” Rohr said. “We have worked hard training our brains for months to make sure we are prepared in every way possible for our trials.”
A mock trial competition can be daunting for high school-aged students, with the biggest hurdle being to perform at a high level in front of professional judges and lawyers.
Pruett shared that she and her teammates devote five to seven hours a week dedicated to mock trial material. She also noted that many of the students in mock trial have jobs, volunteer, and maintain the appropriate time to their studies as well.
RHS student Madigan McGrath, who has felt the intensity from opposing lawyers for playing the role as a defense ‘witness’, described some of the techniques she uses while on the stand.
“If I do get nervous while on the witness stand, I like to focus on my breathing and sink deeper into the character I’m playing,” McGrath said.
Overall, the group has had some key takeaways through their experience, with one of them being the importance of quality legal representation in the real world. Additionally, they have also learned the legal profession always has more room for talent, and can never have too much justice.
In only her second year as the mock trial team advisor, RHS teacher Rachel Chamberlain has guided the team to win the Region 4 District 3 title to allow them an opportunity to compete on a regional level.
Becky Krieg of the Thomas & Krieg Law Firm was praised by the students for her expertise in the field of law and donating her time to be the team’s attorney advisor.
The best of luck goes out to the RHS mock trial team competing in the Region 4 playoffs on March 14, and congratulate them on their amazing academic accomplishments thus far.