The Tyrone Mock Trial Team is back in session and looking to grow this season.

Pennsylvania’s Mock Trial Competition, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association, gives more than 300 high school teams from across the state the opportunity to act as lawyers and witnesses in simulated civil and criminal trials before actual judges and panels of juries. Local lawyers and other law professionals volunteer to assist students as team advisers, scorekeepers and regional coordinators.

While the focus is on the law, students don’t have to be interested in being a lawyer to join.  The competition is a fun way to put students against other schools to find out if they can out-think and out-argue their opponents.

Student interest in the team has been up for the past couple of years, so much so that they have had to turn away potential new members.  However, with the addition of a second team this season, more students will be able to participate in this exciting academic competition.

“I’m excited for the opportunity to expand the mock trial team so that more students can have the same awesome experience that we had last year,” said junior team member Morgan Bridges.

The group will need at least 8-10 new members to field a second team, so any new students interested are strongly encouraged to give it a try.

“I am very excited that the administration is willing to support this extracurricular activity by adding a second team. It is such a fantastic opportunity for students to compete and have fun while doing something that dramatically improves their critical thinking and communication skills,” said Team Coach Todd Cammarata.

Last year’s team was very successful, winning several preseason matches and awards, and splitting their two regular season trials. The team even came within one point of defeating the perennial powerhouse and former Mock Trial State Champion Altoona High School.

This year, students are hoping to compete for the county title and move on to the regional level for the first time ever.

The team practices two days a week and on some Saturday mornings.

They also attend the annual Pitt Mock Trial Tournament at the University of Pittsburgh every January where they compete for two days  against some of the top Mock Trial teams in the state.

“Pittsburgh is like the mock trial equivalent to March Madness,” said junior attorney Chloe Makdad,”You have four trials in two days, you have moments of brilliance and you have moments of unfathomable stupidity, but you walk away from it having learned so much. Sometimes TCamm gets mad and breaks windows. Our real case theory gets developed in Pittsburgh. We also get to enjoy the city for a little while; the food, extra large squirrels, and the angry Steelers fans in the hotel lobby are a staple of the trip. In the end, we simultaneously improve as a team and have a blast together. And I believe the B-team would certainly benefit from this trip.” 

To try out for this year’s team, new and returning members of mock trial will need to present a brief opening statement for either the defendant or prosecution side on Thursday or Friday November 17/18th in Room 226. Sign ups will be available outside of room 226.

To download a copy of the case, click HERE or to learn more about mock trial, click HERE.

After everyone is assigned a part, practices will be scheduled and will take place either after school or on Saturdays at the Hollidaysburg Court House.

If interested in signing up but want to know more, there will be meetings Tuesday (11/8)  and Wednesday (11/9) held after school in room 226.

“I would say it’s arguably the most fun you will have in high school once you get past the first few weeks, but even before then we still have fun,” said Cammarata, “plus you will learn a lot of great life skills like the ability to speak in public and think on your feet.”

So grab a packet, read the case, and get prepared, because Mock Trial is back in session.