After a season of balancing both stage presence and legal knowledge, the mock trial team was defeated by Moreau Catholic in the county-wide semifinals.

Mock trial is a team coached by social studies teacher Dave Keller where selected students are given a case at the beginning of the year and must present the best response to a judge in a series of trials, all while learning about the law and improving public speaking skills.

“I think [to be successful] you need a certain level of comfortability speaking in front of large groups, and you definitely need to be able to think on your feet,” senior Max Canty-Hilchey said.

Keller selects students who have prior legal knowledge or know how to speak convincingly in front of many people, usually students who have either an acting or law and society foundation. Once students are selected, they are given their specific role on the team.

“I’ve learned a lot about public speaking and articulation because of mock trial,” Canty-Hilchey said.

During the season, the team met once a week for about an hour and a half and went to competitions during the weekends about two times every month.

“It’s pretty time consuming, especially during competition season which is in February and early March,” Canty-Hilchey said. “You have to make it a priority during that time.”

The competition is county wide, with 12 schools in each county and 58 counties in the entire state. Depending on how well each team does in the competition they either continue to advance, eventually making it to the state finals, or are eliminated.

Despite their hard work and commitment, the mock trial team was eliminated in the semi-finals against Moreau Catholic High School.

Keller said the skills he has seen in the students are often just as impressive as those of the professional lawyers and public speakers who have come to help the team.

“The time and effort that goes into a court case and crafting good witnesses, while also bonding with a group of people you probably wouldn’t have met in other circumstances is incredible,” junior Saam Niami-Jalinous said.

The mock trial competition is similar to the competition of a sporting event, teaching students about logic, quick decisions and coping with pressure.

“Mock trial is where I got all the same life skills that athletic kids get from sports,” senior Nako Narter said.

Keller said one of the most popular elements of mock trial is the close bonds the students make with each other.

“The best part about mock trial is the relationships you make with everyone on the team,” Canty-Hilchey said. “We get really bonded by the end of year and you make so many new friends.”