By: Oscar Castaneda
The 2022-2023 Mock-Trial Advisors and Officer team prepare for their annual club tryouts by reflecting on previous experiences and accomplishments.
The Mock-Trial Officer team has been preparing for club try-outs that are set to kick off on August 30th in room 44. Approxamatley 15 positions are open on the team, so members must be well-prepared.
After collecting an old court case witness statement from room 44, students are asked to memorize the facts, which they are later tested on by an Advisor or President of the club.
Photo Courtesy of RHS Website
Advisor Ms. Jennifer McFadden says that students “pretend that they’re the defendant, that they’re on trial for murder. They have to act like that person, and based on how well they do, they usually gain a spot on the team,” when referring to the tryout process.
Alongside McFadden, Advisor Mr. Zach Adams says that the process for auditions is “an opportunity for [advisors] to gauge a person’s confidence, speaking ability, ability to project.” Although, the team does not expect students to know every detail, but rather have the potential to grow.
Photo Courtesy of Gigantea Staff
Since a typical season for the club consists of fundraising approxamtley “$10-14,000” Adams says, “We’re not a sport but we are a competitive team, so we fall through the cracks in terms of the school system, so everything we do we have to do for ourselves”.
Adams says that the bonding experience and opportunites that are sprouted from being involved allow for personal development:
“Their confidence as human beings just expands ridiculously: their ability to speak for themselves, to speak out, to speak up. We’ll get people in as freshmen— they’re like little mice— just so meek and two to three years later they’re the first to stand up and talk; it transforms these people.”
Mock-Trial Advisor Mr. Zach Adams on student growth through their participation
Photo Courtesy of author, Castaneda
Co-President Aanchal Singh, ’23 says that the main challenges faced “as a team that wins county every year is that we get accused of cheating and plagiraizing other teams work when we have worked hard all year.” Members also face obstacles like personal funding and memorization.
Photo Courtesy of author, Castaneda
Co-President Morgan Castaneda, ’23 is a four year member who says that a common obstacle is memorization. “[Its] almost like having an extra class. [Members] have to memorize alot, [members] have to recite alot and communicate with other team members,” she adds.
When first joining the club, Castaneda was faced with the challenge of public speaking but has overcome the hardship.
Photo Courtesy of author, Castaneda
Three year member Jordan Miami Martinez, ’23 says that the activities occurding within the club “sound really complicated, but it’s very rewarding and fun. [Students] find like-minded people who also have an interest in law.”
Yearly goals that the club strives to achieve are winning country and state, learning trial procedures, growth in public speaking and confidence, and overall having fun.
After tryouts, students who make the team must attend Tuesday and Thursday practices held from 4:00 pm. to 5:30 p.m.
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