After its most successful year in school history, the Tyrone Mock Trial Team is looking to rebuild for the 2019 season.

Last season the Tyrone A team won the county, won districts, and advanced to the regional playoffs for the first time in school history, missing a trip to the state tournament on a tiebreaker.

Tyrone’s B Team also went undefeated in the first round of competition, ending with a close loss in the district playoffs to perennial power Altoona. Tyrone was the only team in the district with two teams advancing to the playoffs last year.

But with seven seniors on last year’s squad, this will be a rebuilding year for Tyrone, meaning there are plenty of spots up for grabs.

“Mock trial is a lot more fun than it sounds. It’s a good bonding experience. By the end of the season, you become really close with your team. From spending time traveling to Pittsburgh to crushing other teams, I’ve made some of my best friends through Mock Trial. This is my third year and I have made so many memories with my teammates that I’ll never forget,” said junior Hanna Denny. 

The competition allows students to participate in simulated civil and criminal trials against students from other schools before actual judges and juries. Local lawyers and other law professionals volunteer to assist as team advisers, judges and jurors.  The competitions are sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association Young Lawyers Division.

While learning about the law is a central part of mock trial, students do not need to be interested in pursuing a career in the field to join. Each trial is an exciting way to out-smart your opponents in a battle of wits. Students interested in acting would enjoy being a witness, in which students portray a character in the trial.  Students interested in the law, or those who just like to argue, would probably make good attorneys.

Over the past few years, interest in Mock Trial has continued to climb. This year advisers Mr. Cammarata and Mr. Funicelli hope to see some new faces.

“Mock trial is without a doubt the best academic competition I have ever seen.  If you like to argue or would just like to improve your confidence and your public speaking skills, mock trial is for you.  With so many seniors graduating last year, there are lots of open spots.  This may be a rebuilding year, but it can be a successful season with the right mix of new students,” said Cammarata.

According to Cammarata, the group will probably need about least 8-10 new members to fill out the A team and form a B team this year.

The team practices twice a week after school in Mr. Cammarata or Mr. Funicelli’s room from 3:15 – 4:45. They also practice on select Saturday mornings at the Blair County Courthouse or the law offices of their attorney adviser in Altoona.

On January 5-6, the team will travel for a two-day tournament at the University of Pittsburgh where they will compete against some of the top mock trial teams in the state. The following weekend, the A team will travel to Penn State Main Campus for another invitational tournament against more of the state’s best teams.  

The regular season competitions occur on weekday evenings at either the Blair County Courthouse in Hollidaysburg,the Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg or the Huntingdon County Courthouse in Huntingdon. Each team is guaranteed two trials.  If they win, they then advance to the playoff rounds at the county, district, regional, state and even national levels.

The case is scheduled to be released at 12 pm on Monday, November 5.  Interested students can find the case and learn more about mock trial by visiting the PA Mock Trial Official Website.

The first team meeting will be after school in room 226 on Monday, November 5 and on Thursday, November 8.  Interested students should attend one or both of these meetings and/or see Mr. Cammarata or Mr. Funicelli for more information.

Students will have two weeks to read the case and become familiar with the material. To try out for this team, new and returning members must present a brief opening statement for either the defense or prosecution. This will occur the week before Thanksgiving.  After that roles will be assigned to all interested students.

To learn more about Mock Trial and to access the case when it comes out, click HERE