Duchesne Mock Trial Champions

The Duchesne Mock Trial team is heading off to the state competition on March 3rd, and they are more than prepared to win! The team is fairly new, having only been created 1 year ago, but that by no means has slowed its success!

Each year, high schoolers across the nation are given either a criminal or civil case, this year’s case being the former. After 4 months of after-school practices, editing, and analyzing the case, the team was able to display their advocating skills at the Regional Competition on February 4th. The competition took place at the Harris County Criminal Justice Court, where 13 other teams competed as well. 

At Regionals, the success was by no means guaranteed - the competition was certainly tough. The team competed in three rounds total, alternating between the prosecution and the defense side. 12th grade defense witness Helen Omanga was more than prepared, but she still “felt nervous as the first round approached. It was kind of nerve-wracking not knowing how prepared the competition would be, but we knew our material, and everything worked out for the best,”  she said excitedly. 

Between rounds, teams socialized with one another, sharing the connecting interest of law. 11th grade defense attorney Carolina Balboa said, “it was great to chat with the other teams, especially during the pizza lunch break.” Defying the high tensions during rounds, building community helped relieve the stress of the competition.

After a long day of badgering witnesses and responding to objections, the Duchesne Mock Trial Team took 1st place in the Regional Competition, sealing their opportunity to compete in the state competition on March 3rd and 4th in Dallas. Good luck to the deserving team, and hopefully they will argue their way to Nationals!