The Hockinson High School Mock Trial Team competed in the YMCA Mock Trial district tournament at the Clark County Courthouse last month, facing off against 7 other teams. The competition challenged students to apply real-life case law and deepen their understanding of the court system.
Each October, teams across the state receive a fictional case containing a pleading, jury instructions, and eight witness statements. Students spend the next several months preparing arguments for both the plaintiff and defense. Students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses, cultivating their critical thinking and public speaking skills. Students also develop valuable soft skills: teamwork, collaboration, and empathy.
This year, five of six attorneys and five of eight witnesses were new to the team, making the competition a valuable opportunity to build confidence and refine their courtroom skills. “It was a huge learning year for our team and they came out of the competition motivated and hopeful for next year,” said HHS Mock Trial advisor, Heidi Morris. “I’m so proud of them. They did incredible work at the competition and really supported each other throughout.”
Mock Trial is made possible by the support of the local legal community. “Pulling off two days of competition means that several courtrooms in the Clark County Courthouse are not being used for their daily functions and there are many volunteers, both judges and attorneys, who work together to support the competition,” explained Morris.
HHS is fortunate to have a committed coaching staff, including Rachael Rogers, Sue Hammann-Phillips, and Maria Randall, who have guided the team since its founding in the 2015-2016 school year. Morris credits the contributions of coaches past and present. She gave a shoutout to Carolyn Schultz-Rathbun, who also contributed to the program for a number of years.
Athletics, arts, technology, clubs and extracurricular activities, and more are funded by the Hockinson School District EP&O Levy. The levy supports opportunities for students to explore their interests, develop talents, and share their passion with the community. Thank you, Hockinson voters!