Students get courtroom experience

The Sisters Mock Trial teams have completed another successful season learning about law and courtroom procedure.

In Mock Trial, student teams prepare to present both the defense and the plaintiff case in a civil action and compete in judged presentations at regional and state levels.

The students argued the case of "Cavanaugh vs. Cup of Joe."

"It's loosely based on the McDonald's case from back in the '90s," said Mock Trial contestant Samuel Summers.

That case involved spilled coffee, alleged burns and the company's responsibility for the heat of its beverage and the consequences thereof.

This year, the Outlaws had both a junior and varsity team participating in the regional competition, held in Bend. The JV team, consisting of Jared Early, Katie Stewart, Nicky Blumm, Frances Payne, Jacob Heath, Nathan Pajutee, Nick Larson, Dillon Witt, Kyle Van Krieken and Sierra Slaughter, put in a strong showing against the rival Central Oregon teams.

The Sisters varsity was comprised of two returning varsity members, seniors Chelsey Davidson and Remington Bruce, both of whom competed at state last year. Moving up from the JV team were seniors McKenzie Legg, Samuel Summers, Trevor Condel and Seth Urquart, along with juniors Riley Barrett and Kristina Sparling. Trying out their skills for the first time were sophomores Sarah Dumolt and Maison Morgan.

The varsity Mock Trial team came in second at the regional competition, facing off against two Bend High School teams and beating both to compete against Summit High School's A team in the final round of the regional competition. The Outlaws advanced to the state competition last weekend at the Mark Hatfield Federal Courthouse in downtown Portland. The Sisters team ultimately placed 14th in the state.

This was the fifth consecutive year that Sisters has represented Central Oregon at state. The teams were coached by two volunteers - Darryl Doke and Jerry Hanford - who are retired lawyers, along with high school advisor Gail Greaney.

"The attorney coaches are just amazing," Greaney said. "Just spending day after day with these kids. And they treat them like their peers."

The work that goes into the competition is no less than that of an athletic team preparing for the playoffs. And the students feel there is considerable "real-world" value to the effort.

"For some of us, it's what we want to do (for a career)," said Remington Bruce. "I want to go to Stanford for law."

Just as scouts from colleges check out athletes on the field, college representatives show up for Mock Trial, scouting potential legal talent.

Those interested in other fields find value in learning to perform in front of others in a pressure situation. Riley Barrett said the experience teaches students to think on their feet - and it's a good thing to have on a résumé.

"Colleges like to see it," Barrett said.

The experience takes classroom skills into a real-world setting - which is a priority for educators.

"We're always trying to give them authentic tasks," said Greaney. "It doesn't get much more authentic."

For all its educational value, Mock Trial has one other important element: It's exciting and fun.

Chelsey Davidson, who looks forward to a career in law, says, "Being in the courtroom is the most exhilarating experience I've had in high school."

Author Bio

Jim Cornelius, Editor in Chief

Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.

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