Mock trial team is regional champ

Sisters High School's Mock Trial team continued their reign as regional champions as they took first place for the third straight year at the Regional Mock Trial Competition, which was held Saturday and Sunday, February 26-27, at the Deschutes County Courthouse, with Judge Michael Sullivan presiding.

Sisters' Black and White teams were two of nine teams that competed at the annual event. Also in attendance were Mountain View, Bend High, Gilchrist, La Pine Proficiency Academy, Redmond and two teams from Summit High School

Sisters' Black and White teams both won their first two rounds and then were pitted against each other. After three difficult rounds and grueling hours presenting their cases, Sisters Black went on to take first-place honors. Sisters Black, along with Summit, who finished second, will advance to the state competition in Portland, to be held at the Mark Hatfield Federal Courthouse, on Friday and Saturday, March 11-12.

This marks the fourth year that Sisters has made it to the state competition.

Mock Trial helps students understand the law, practice critical thinking and gain confidence in their public speaking by assuming the roles of attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs and the judge and jury in either a fictional criminal or civil trial.

Students experience the difficulties that judges, lawyers and juries face when they have to determine which facts are relevant and what legal arguments are effective. Every high school in the state of Oregon is given the same case; this year a criminal case, State vs. Willy Freeman.

Mary Thomas, Mock Trial teacher, got the case in December and her students immediately began to work diligently on the case, outlining witness statements, and figuring out a theory for both the prosecution and the defense.

"We treat Mock Trial like a college-level course," Thomas said. "Students are required to work independently as well as a team. If they want to be successful at the state level, students have to work very hard and bring their 'A' game in the classroom and then be motivated to independently put in many, many hours."

Attorney Darryl Doke, and Jerry Hanford volunteered their time and helped students prepare their case for competition. Doke told The Nugget he couldn't be more pleased with how the kids performed.

"They were just spectacular," said Doke. "Every kid delivered a personal best and every member of the team stepped it up a notch. I'm so, so proud of them I just can't say enough. This is my third year of coaching, and this year is by far the strongest performance yet. They were off the charts! It's just so personally gratifying to see these kids grow before your eyes and see their self-confidence develop. Each one is reaching for something above and beyond themselves."

And Doke didn't stop with just his praise for the students. He also had special words for teacher Mary Thomas.

"Mary is an unbelievable, special person and puts so much work into this program. She's just wonderful."

Thomas told The Nugget that both Doke and Hanford were integral to the kids' success.

"Both Darryl and Jerry are trial lawyers and their support and extensive knowledge of the courtroom was so valuable," said Thomas. "In my opinion we couldn't have done it without them."

Mock Trial began as a club at Sisters High School seven years ago, and for the past three years has been offered as a social studies elective. Over the years student interest has increased, and each year Sisters students top the previous year's

performance.

"Beyond students learning critical thinking skills and becoming confident in their speaking abilities, it's one of the few school programs where a 4A school like Sisters can compete against an elite 6A school such as Caitlin Gable, Lincoln, Grant and West Linn High School," stated Thomas. "We're going to continue to work hard and hopefully crack the top 10 at state."