By Katie Chapman kchapm11@uwyo.edu
The Laramie High School Mock Trial team continues to move forward in competition as they continue to stay sharp for Nationals coming up this spring in Wilmington, Delaware.
For those of you who don’t know, a mock trial is an imitation trial. According to the students at LHS, mock trials are pretending to be lawyers and victims, given cases that they must prepare both sides of. They do things like opening and closing statements, pre-trial matters and form a theory on what they think really happened in the case. “We typically form a catchphrase that can stick in the jury’s heads throughout the trial, in hopes to sway them to our side.” stated Eliza Fay, a senior on the mock trial team.
The students are given a case and come up with all of their own information. They write their opening statements, their arguments, their examinations, and their closing statements. Some of these statements can be 5 minutes long with everything needing to be memorized. This pushes the kids to really study and understand the material they have. This also allows for the students to improvise within their statements throughout the trial as if it were a real trial in the courtroom. “Everything is memorized and improvised in the courtroom because you never know what is going to happen and what you’re going to get from your witness.” stated Brooke Aumiller, a junior in the program.
The students who participate in the mock trial tournaments learn more than just what it’s like in the courtroom. They dress in formal attire, like a suit, to help look and feel that part. Some witnesses in the case immerse themselves into their character. In a way it is like acting. “We have had people win best witness because they really get into the character with accents, emotions, and many other little details that help sell their part.” said Whitney Martin, teacher and coach. Mock trial becomes so much more than just going through the legal work. For some kids, it helps them expand their ability to grow in other areas of life.
One aspect of this is in the theatrics of mock trial. “A lot of the students come from a theatrical background,” said Henry Andersen, a junior in the program. Not only does mock trial help with theatrics, it also helps build personal growth. “I noticed when I joined the mock trial course, I was pretty reserved and I feel like it’s really helped me to open up.” said Andersen. Mock trial also brings students the amazing opportunity to learn about the legal system as well as skills outside of the court like public speaking, advocacy, and thinking on the spot. “ One day I hope to be a psychologist, and mock trial can help me accomplish that. It might help me with legal issues I could encounter on the job, or I could even be an expert witness on the stand.” said Aumiller. Mock trial brings something for everyone whether they have realized it yet or not. “Being as I want to be in psychology, I don’t think I would’ve considered this class if it weren’t for theater, and without it, I don’t think I would’ve found a love for law like I did.” stated Aumiller Andersen added, “It really changed what you think of the courtroom and law all together.”
Students at Laramie High School participated in the Wyoming High School Mock Trial State Tournament with two teams in Cheyenne on December 2, 2023 and placed both 1st and 3rd. The teams are now invited to attend the National High School Mock Trial Tournament.The Laramie High School Mock Trial team moves forward in competition as they continue to stay sharp for Nationals coming up this spring in Wilmington, Delaware. In doing so they will travel to Colorado to scrimmage with other teams at the Colorado High School Mock Trial team, set to take place in late February. There is a team of 9 students participating in Nationals along with 2 coaches and 3 other students hoping to travel to Delaware for the national competition on May 3,2024. “The class couldn’t work smoothly without the attorneys involved in helping out these bright students.” A special thanks to Corthell and King PC, Erik Oblasser and Mike Bennet; Coal Creek Law, Rob Piper and Jordyn Surber; and James Learned teacher and attorney. In order to afford the trip to Delaware in the spring, the students ask for donations and sponsors from the community and provide a large personal contribution of their own funds in order to travel. For more information about how you can get involved or sponsor the group, reach out to Whitney Martin at wmartin@acds1.org.
Photos credited to WHSMT.
Photo 1 (back row left to right): James Learned (coach), Jock Mack, Ali Taheri, Sean Prather, Henry Andersen, Liam Knerr, Kylee Schmalz, Lovely Plant (middle row left to right): Gloria Rynders, Kili Learned, Micah Dreiling, Aliye Carey, Danica Anderson, Riley Petruso, Suzannah Sisneros, Whitney Martin (coach) (front row left to right): Libbie Roesler, Ellu Pannell, Kathryn Piper, Eliza Fay, Zeren Homer, Brooke Aumiller, Ebonie Siebert (all three LHS teams; not pictured Evelyn Chai)
Photo 2 (from left to right): Micah Dreiling, Liam Knerr, Gloria Rynders, Libbie Roesler, Eliza Fay, Suzannah Sisneros, Ebonie Siebert, Zeren Homer (First Place team)
Photo 3 (from left to right): Henry Andersen, Jock Mack, Sean Prather, Brooke Aumiller, Kylee Schmalz, Ellu Pannell, Riley Petruso, Aliye Carey (Third Place team)