Mock Trial, the Mount Pleasant High School club that bridges theater, law, and strategy, is gearing up for another exciting school year of litigation, client advocacy and simulated courtroom drama.
The year before last, Mount’s Mock Trial team ranked last place in the competitions. Last year they jumped up to rank 12 out of 25 teams, despite being composed almost entirely of new members and having to work on an accelerated schedule with a brand new coach. That Attorney Coach, Amy Koss, is an associate at Reed Smith’s Philadelphia law office. This year, she is joined by new co-coach Commissioner Emily Ferrell. Koss looks forward to this upcoming season and expects the team to continue on their upward trajectory, especially since this year the team includes both skilled veterans and eager new members.
Koss calls Mock Trial “one of the single best extracurricular activities you can do,” and says that there’s a reason colleges love to see it on students’ applications. She explained that Mock Trial helps develop skills including problem solving, public speaking, thinking on your feet, debate, strategy, and acting skills.
Dr. Iman Turner is a counselor at Mount Pleasant High School and the club advisor of Mock Trial. He believes that the club gives students a unique opportunity to learn from practicing lawyers and judges in the field, explaining that “Simply having access to people of that caliber on a regular basis is an outstanding experience for a young person.”
Attorney Coach Koss believes that Mock Trial not only develops valuable skills, but is also a lot of fun. She pointed out that the return of every member from last year (who wasn’t a graduating senior) to the team this year speaks to the fulfilling experience the club offers.
Right now, the club is honing their skills and training new members in preparation for this year’s civil trial to come out, which should be by the end of October. Then, it’ll be up to the students to apply their knowledge and strategy to the case before the competition in February.
Jaimeare Rainey • Oct 27, 2024 at 7:21 pm
too 5 this year