On October 8th, five mock trial teams represented Vestavia at the YMCA’s youth judiciary and legislative mock trial competition under Mr. Sinnott and Mrs. Pantazis, both English & Literature teachers at the high school. In addition, Koushiki Ranjan and Danielle Chbeir officiated as Bailiff and Judge, respectively, as members of the YMCA official mock trial officer staff. Competing against other local teams from Spain Park, Indian Springs, and Parker, mock trial groups contested the parameters of a civil case on manslaughter. Each team consisted of three judges and three witnesses who, in tandem with one another, were questioned by team members and attorneys of the opposing counsel alike to produce a conviction and draw out a final verdict from the jury.
In this case, opposing teams argued over the conviction of Hunter Simmons, a figmented high schooler who allegedly killed one of their classmates in a powderpuff game. Other involved parties, such as Bailey Powell, an autopsy examiner, as well as Blake Williams, a police captain, support or refute this allegation with various archives of evidence and documentation. The trial is a simulation of a real-world civil case, and mocks the guidelines and procedures of the general American legislative process.
The competition took place at Spain Park high school. The day began at 7:00 am and ended later that evening. Four trials took place, with teams competing three times and juring once. This year, all teams qualified for the state competition later in November, taking place at embassy suites in Montgomery, Alabama.
Out of the top three teams in the competition, Vestavia team “Bailey” won third place overall with a cumulative score of 101 out of 120. Luke Pappalardo, member of the third place team and previous best witness, won the best attorney award, alongside two other students from various schools.
Andy Sheng, team captain of the Vestavia Professional Crastinators, states: “It’s a lot of work. You have one month to prepare both sides of the case, memorized. That’s normally about 3 pages of speech and approximately one hundred questions for witnesses. On top of the brute memorization, it takes a lot of mental fortitude and focus to be able to react in impromptu situations in the courtroom such as objections and cross examinations. Mr. Sinnott wasn’t exaggerating when he said how much work Mock Trial would be, especially at a school where it is an extra-curricular rather than a class, but he also was right about how rewarding it can be.”
Comments