An old proverb goes, “Learning about important issues of the day and their history, preparing both sides of a case well, and then competing in mock court is learning time well spent.” CHS Anchor News is proud to feature this week's Club of the Week, Mock Trial! Mock trial has been around for several years here at Columbus High. Coach Jaime Stodola explained, “Mock Trial consists of a team of students who learn a given court case, both the prosecution and defense. There are competitions against other schools in order to advance to State and Nationals.”

The Mock Trial team of Columbus High School consists of 12 students making up the roles of lawyers, witnesses, and a timekeeper. Junior Delrone Mukusha and Seniors Aaliyah Grafe and Libby Wurdeman make up the lawyers of the Mock Trial team. Freshmen Sage Warner, Liz Mowrey, Emma Carlson, Kasha Iwan, Arely Aguilar, Sophomore Riley Gausman, and Senior Paola Bautista play the role of the witnesses at Mock Trial competitions. Senior Meagan Lludena Llanos is the twelfth student taking the role of the timekeeper. 

Usually, a Mock Trial season is during the fall. However, due to the global pandemic, several things have to be changed for the team. The team is not able to compete in a courtroom and will instead be having the competitions through Zoom. In addition, the dates of competitions have been pushed back for the team. The team had their first competition on Thursday, January 21, 2021. The team will not know how well they competed until a later to be determined date in the season. Because it was her first year, Stodola’s first goal was to learn the basics of what is to be expected. “From this first case, I have a much better idea of ways to strategize with the team.” Stodola explains. 

“Mock Trial is a great way to learn about how the court and justice system works. A student would not only learn these procedures, but how to work together with a team for a common goal. It is a great way to work on communication, and collaboration skills, especially Speech.”

Stay Tuned to CHS Anchor News for updates on the Mock Trial Teams’ competition on January 21 and their next competition at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, February 2, 2021!