Coshocton County high schools have mock trial
2015-16 Coshocton County Mock Trial Team Silver included Sarah Kittner, Meredith Stamper, Aselya Sposato, Jordon Conner, Lexi Huston, Sarah Holmes, Harmony Montgomery, Abigail Ambrose, Jarrett Brenneman, and Justin Conner. Names are not in order.
COSHOCTON – The Coshocton County High School Mock Trial program ended a string of competitions at the Ohio High School Mock Trial Regional tournament on Feb. 29. Coshocton County Team Silver Defense started the morning session with an impressive victory over North Canton Hoover High School. However, Coshocton’s Prosecution fell short by one point in the afternoon trial against Hudson High School.
The county mock trial teams consist of students from all three area high schools. The students began training in October 2015 under the direction of legal advisors Judge Van Blanchard, Judge Robert Batchelor, Prosecuting Attorney Jason Given, and Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Christi Thornsley. This year, the Ohio Center for Law Related Education created a trial scenario based on a fictional police shooting of a teenage boy. The facts are based loosely on the Tamir Rice case in Cleveland, Ohio.
Students learned about the 4th Amendment to the United States Constitution, how to conduct direct and cross examination of witnesses, and court rules, among numerous other education points. Most importantly, the advisors emphasized, the students learned to think quickly on their feet.
Mock trial competition began in early January with an appearance by both Coshocton Silver and Gold teams at the University of Cincinnati High School Mock Trial Invitational. Only one team, Silver Prosecution, was able to pick up a win. Judge Batchelor said, “The students walked into some tough competitions and got roughed up by state contenders, but that was the whole point. Our teams needed to see firsthand what the top teams were doing and how they were doing it.” There was some glimmer of hope, however, as Lexi Huston (RVHS) was awarded best attorney, and Madison Miller (CHS) was awarded top witness, in a winning effort for Silver Prosecution.
The experience paid off at the District competition in New Philadelphia. Coshocton Silver, consisting of Sarah Kittner (RVHS), Meredith Stamper (RVHS), Aselya Sposato (RVHS), Jordan Conner (RHS), Lexi Huston (RVHS), Sarah Holmes (RVHS), Harmony Montgomery (RVHS) and Abigail Ambrose (RVHS) advanced to the Regional competition with wins over New Philadelphia and Claymont High Schools. Team Silver timekeepers were Jarrett Brenneman (RHS) and Justin Conner (RHS). Coshocton Gold, consisting of Brenna Heskett (CHS), Colleen Schwartz (RHS), Cyrus Larntz (CHS), Katie Leitz (RHS), Josey Lillibridge (RHS), Hayli Brown (RVHS), Amy Terrell (CHS), Skyler Wright (CHS), and Megan Stonebreaker (CHS), ended up just short with a defense win against Tuscarawas Central Catholic and a prosecution loss to Claymont. Timekeepers for Coshocton Gold were Dylan Harsh (RVHS) and Brianna Yonley (RVHS).
Outstanding Attorney awards were presented to Amy Terrell and Sarah Holmes, with outstanding witness awards presented to Skyler Wright and Aselya Sposato.
Judge Blanchard said, “We are extremely proud of everyone’s effort. It’s a tough district, and we were honestly a little nervous about getting either team to the Regional competition. To get one team in, and have the other come so close, shows how hard these students have worked.”
Many mock trial seasons end in Columbus with a state champion or runner –up from the Akron region, so it’s easy to say that Coshocton faced some of the best teams in the state on Feb. 19, at the Akron Regional tournament. Judge Batchelor said, “We knew it was going to be heart pounding from the outset, and we were not disappointed. Every detail mattered, and every point was a close call. We really believed we could get to state, but so did every other team that was there.” Although Coshocton’s Silver Prosecution lost by a point, both teams swept the awards for best attorney and witness in their respective trials. Outstanding attorneys were Sarah Kittner and Sarah Holmes.
Outstanding witnesses were Aselya Sposato and Abigail Ambrose.
Jason Given noted that the experience of the veterans and the enthusiasm of new students will make the teams formidable next year. Discussion has already begun in planning for next year, and possible steps to increase opportunities for students in cooperation with educational programs in the high schools remains a goal. A grant application has been submitted by the Courts to expand local interest.
Category: Education
