The Mock Trial season has come to a close, along with the Mock Trial careers of the six graduating Sixth Formers. The group saw a successful run this year, with the first team winning the Montgomery County District Tournament and finishing as finalists at the PA State Competition.
“There were some 250 teams in the state this year and we were one of fourteen to make it that far. At the moment, it might have been stressful, but now I couldn’t be happier with our performance,” Sixth Form Captain Colin Stewart said.
The team’s leadership was a large contributing factor to their success.
“We had a lot of confidence going in,” Sixth Former Will Rubin said. “It was a team made up of six seniors, so we were all pretty confident with the rules of evidence and just how to kind of navigate the whole thing. I think it went very well.”
Younger students were also key to the team’s success.
“Although the varsity team [had] six seniors, a few younger guys stepped in as subs,” Stewart said. “Just generally, we have had a few younger kids who picked Mock Trial up quick[ly], and in Mock Trial, every person you can get thinking about and criticizing the case is a plus.”
In Mock Trial, the team receives hypothetical cases, which Sixth Former Zach Hoyt described as “complicated puzzles.”
These cases are challenging and complex.
“As many of our supporting attorneys have said, these cases are far more difficult than cases they had seen; however, this is also what makes them so fun,” Hoyt said. “It feels great to find a little detail hidden in the case that is detrimental to the other side’s argument and then watch them scramble when you bring it up on cross examination. I think it’s also great that anyone who does Mock Trial comes out with at least a basic understanding of how the law is practiced.”
“I’ve always loved acting and arguing, for that matter, but there’s never been a point where I’ve had to think on my feet as fast as I have for Mock Trial, especially in the objection battles.”
Will RUbin ’22
Several aspects drew Rubin to Mock Trial..
“I’ve always loved acting and arguing, for that matter, but there’s never been a point where I’ve had to think on my feet as fast as I have for Mock Trial, especially in the objection battles,” Rubin said. “When you’re in those, it’s just back and forth. You never really know how the person is going to respond and how confident they are for that matter with the law, so you constantly have to assess and change your strategy. I think my critical thinking skills on the spot have improved so much since I started doing it in tenth grade.”
This year’s team was particularly dedicated to improvement, which led to a strong culture of camaraderie and collaboration.
“More than anything, I love the practices where everyone is focused and really into it,” Stewart said. “For example, this year we had a practice where we were discussing the possibility of a person being the stabber in our case. Everyone got super passionate about it—at one point we were even acting it all out. It’s those moments that I’ll remember.”
“We had so many guys who weren’t just doing Mock Trial for the resume or for college, but because they genuinely enjoyed the activity…I believe this natural passion is what led to our success…”
Zach Hoyt ’22
As they graduate and head into college, the Sixth Formers feel the team is in good hands.
“We had so many guys who weren’t just doing Mock Trial for the resume or for college, but because they genuinely enjoyed the activity,” Hoyt said. “I believe this natural passion is what led to our success because passion, over anything, always wins the day. I hope that the younger guys in the group could see how passionate the senior leaders were, and they can continue to exert that passion in successful years to come.”
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