The Liberty High School Mock Trial Team reached a significant milestone by advancing to the state competition for the first time. Although the Mock Trial program at Liberty has only been around for four years, the team has quickly made a name for itself through dedication and hard work. As the team looks back on its season, they reflect on their progress and what it took to get to this point.
For the past few months, the team has undergone intense preparation, practicing legal arguments, memorizing testimony and refining their skills in mock courtrooms. The team competes in a format that mirrors real-life court trials, with students taking on the roles of lawyers, witnesses and other legal professionals. This year’s competition featured a challenging case, but the team’s exceptional preparation and teamwork allowed them to excel in the competition.
This achievement is especially fulfilling for seniors who have participated in mock trial for the entirety of their high school career. Elizabeth Stopak (she/her), 12, has been on the team since the beginning and has watched the development of the program.
“Throughout my four years, the team has grown in not only numbers, but formality. We have established the best balance between respecting our opposing counsel along with formally representing Liberty to real attorneys at state,” said Stopak.
Emily Bonneau (she/her), advisor for Liberty Mock Trial, also shares her thoughts on the significant impact the senior class had on the team this season.
“I saw tremendous growth in those students, and I’m proud of the work that they put in,” said Bonneau.
The success of the team is the result of countless mornings, evenings, and weekends spent preparing for competition. While the workload was overwhelming at times, Molly McLaughlin (she/her), 11, considers it fulfilling.
“Doing the work ends up being the most rewarding thing. And it really ends up benefiting you the most when you put that work in,” McLaughlin said. “At the end of the season, we don’t remember every single detail or every hour of practice. We remember how we did at the competition and how it made us feel.”
Mock trial isn’t just about arguing a case. While simulating a courtroom experience, students are also learning valuable life skills.
“Mock trial has taught me the importance of persistence even under the most stressful of circumstances,” said Claire Franzwa (she/her), 12.
Along with cultivating dedication, Bonneau also noted the mock trial’s role in helping build a professional demeanor.
“[Mock trial] teaches a whole plethora of things. Problem-solving skills, critical thinking and public speaking all contribute to how you present yourself,” said Bonneau.
The Liberty Mock Trial team hopes to build off of their success this season and continue to work on developing their program. Students interested in joining the mock trial team next school year should email Emily Bonneau at [email protected].
