Padua Academyʼs 2011-2012 Mock Trial activity/ team, coached by Mary Akhimien, Chris Griffiths, Daniel Attaway, and Matthew Hammersley, met for the first time this year on October 14, 2011, during Activity Period A. Coaches and students alike agreed that they were very excited for the upcoming Mock Trial events. Mrs. Anderson, Mock Trialʼs head moderator, stated: “We are all looking forward to a successful and productive year.”
This yearʼs activity has had a tremendous response at nearly thirty participants! Before the team can be assembled all participants are required to audition for the main roles, such as witness, and attorney. Though only twelve people make the actual team, time keepers and alternates are also needed to make the team a success. The auditions, held by the coaches along with Mrs. Anderson and Mr. McAteer, take place at Padua Academy. Once the team is chosen and brought together, their practice and training begins.
During school, the team will meet during Activity periods A and B to rehearse, and perfect their case. Mrs. Anderson also hopes to take advantage of the new 55 minute flex period during school. Outside of school, however, the training for the competition is held at Connolly, Bove, Lodge & Hutz Law Firm. After they get their case, the Mock trial team, hard at work, prepare for the competition which is held on the 24th and 25th of February. The dress rehearsal, which also helps prepare the team for the actual competition, is held over Presidents weekend.
“This yearʼs team has a high bar set for them,” Mrs. Anderson stated. Paduaʼs past teams have made major accomplishments. For example, last yearʼs team placed in the top 10 teams at the state level. Former teams have also qualified for the semifinals. However, the coaches are confident in the team and their abilities as Mock Trial members. They have high hopes for this yearʼs team; and they hope to make semifinals or finals and incorporate many more underclassmen into the team.
There are, as always, the inevitable obstacles that come with success. Fitting practices into studentʼs busy schedules and even the weather have set Paduaʼs teams behind in the past. With the right attitude and energy, though, the coaches and moderators are optimistic that this yearʼs team will surmount these obstacles and surpass expectations.