Members gain confidence, improved speaking skills
Published in the April 2-15, 2014 issue of Morgan Hill Life
By Vidyun Bais
Sobrato Mock Trial Team
Photo courtesy Vidyun Bias
Sobrato High School’s Mock Trial team set the bar high for next year’s team by advancing to the semifinals level in Santa Clara County for the first time in its seven-year history. Sobrato placed fourth out of 24 schools.
Senior Erin Chen benefited by developing her confidence and speaking skills. “I joined because many of my friends and peers were involved in the activity and constantly talked about what a great experience it was,” she said.
Mock Trial is an interactive form of debate which simulates a courtroom environment. Sobrato’s Mock Trial team consists of a defense team and a prosecution team which independently compete against the opposing teams of other high schools. The teams consist of student lawyers and witnesses. The witnesses’ testimonies aid their lawyers in developing a convincing case. Several county court judges examine the lawyers and witnesses on their opening statements, closing statements, pre-trial motions and testimonies. The winning team does not necessarily have to receive a “guilty” or “not guilty” verdict. A team can lose the case and still win the competition based on the members’ ability to work with the given facts.
“Mock Trial aids in speaking skills, thinking quickly on your feet, improvising, and voice projection,” said Howard Barnes, the Sobrato team’s advisor. “Mock Trial (team members) consistently met three to four nights a week and during the weekend.”
The Sobrato students competed at several levels, including preliminary rounds, quarterfinals and semifinals. The team that wins the county level goes to the state and perhaps nationwide level.
“We had a lot of experienced ‘veterans’ this year, and we met very frequently this year,” said Sobrato senior Elizabeth Delgadillo, head of the defense team. “Our dedication, experience and teamwork allowed us to advance as far as we did. I feel that our extensive practice and preparation definitely helped.”
One of the most exciting moments for the Sobrato team was defeating San Jose-based Lynbrook High School, a previously undefeated team that had won four consecutive trials, said Michelle Luu, a Sobrato senior and a witness. “We were very excited,” she said.
In addition to improving speaking skills and giving a sense of accomplishment, Mock Trial is an enjoyable experience, she said. “I like being a witness because it’s an amazing experience to be in a real courthouse in front of a real judge and real lawyers, trying to convince them that my side is right,” Luu said. “I have stage fright and have never acted a day in my life, but when I get on the stand, I’m a completely different person. You always get so into the trial that you eat, sleep, live Mock Trial.”
Vidyun Bais is a junior at Sobrato High School. She wrote this story for Morgan Hill Life.
