Mercy Mock Trial Takes the Stand

By Maggie Kissinger
Objection! Mock Trial defends high school blogger
Mother of Mercy’s Mock Trial team is preparing for another hopeful season, with five of last year’s Regional winner and State qualifying team returning this year including Captains Mallory Workman and Camille Chiappone, along with Ali Stevens, Mary Burger and Elizabeth Bley.
This year’s case is about a high school senior, Alex Leslie, expressing her strong opinion against her teacher and the class in her personal blog and whether the school has the right to suspend her or if that violates the First Amendment.
The team starts in November. “We start out by reading the case and understanding the legal issue and the varying viewpoints. Once all our roles are given, the real work starts. For me, that entails writing opening statements that lay out the case and explaining why the school board isn’t violating the constitutional rights,” explains Camille Chiappone.
The simulation also includes the opposing side. “I am representing Alex and have to prove that her 1st Amendment rights were violated,” Mallory Workman explains.
The work pays off. “Going to state last year was a great experience,” says Workman. Both captains are hopeful for an equally successful season this year. “We have a lot of new team members, so it is a learning experience for us all, but I know that we can do it!” says Workman.
“I don’t think a lot of people realize that we only have one night at districts to show what we’ve got. All our scrimmages and practices are for that one night, so to make it to state, and farther onto nationals, would be an awesome accomplishment,” says Camille.
With a serious task of arguing for and against legal rights, the team still has a lot of fun with the program. “Mock Trial is a fun intellectual game. Your brain is in full throttle during a trial,” says Camille.
The thrill of thinking on your feet, and especially yelling, “Objection!” are some of best parts of Mock Trial for the team. Mallory explains that “It’s such a rush but its so much fun!”