Written by: Pascale Gibbs, Editor in Training
COMPETITION: Poly’s Mock Trial team goes for gold in the county competition.
Poly High’s mock trial team has been competing in Riverside county for decades. In these years, the team has been nineteen times winning Riverside county champions, three times winning California state champions, and one-time winning national champions. Poly’s mock trial team has an unbelievable record, and they hope to add more wins to their ever-growing list this year.
Mock trial is a program where high school students receive a case concerning a charge pressed against someone. Teams have a defense, as well as a prosecution team, who learn everything about the case, and then compete against other teams to test their knowledge of the case, evidence, and ability to perform.
As a result of COVID, the mock trial competition was forced to be held online, via Zoom. Although team members were thankful to still be competing, it was tough to be held back from competing in a courtroom. A two-year mock trial team member and senior at Poly, Lily Marsella, competed as a witness during the last mock trial season. Although being online wasn’t the worst thing in the world, Marsella describes being “bummed about not being in person and not being able to be in a courtroom.” As this year’s season approached, the mock trial competition was allowed to be held in person again. This moment was monumental, being that it was after almost three years of virtual competition.
With a brand new case and many new team members, the team sprung up and began working. With being in person, the team members have loved getting to compete in a courtroom. Marsella especially “love[s] being surrounded by people who share the same passions as me… being in a courtroom, sitting at the council table, and having a judge in front of me makes it all seem so real.” Mock trial is all about performing and making it feel as though the case and all of its witnesses as well as attorneys are real. With the competition being held in person this season, Poly’s team has been rapidly preparing.
Poly’s mock trial team recently competed in the Riverside county competition. The team worked very hard and was absolutely thrilled to be able to compete. After four rounds of vigorous competition, the top finalists were announced. Not only did Poly’s mock trial team make the list, but three of the members received awards for their outstanding performances. Mackenzie Watkins, a junior at Poly, was given the gold medal for her witness role. Eva Prince, also a junior at Poly, received a bronze medal for her role as a witness. Finally, Annabelle Lindwall earned an outstanding achievement award for her role as a prosecution attorney.
Poly’s team is beyond ecstatic to be competing in this year’s competition. Wish this hard-working team good luck as they move forward in the competition!
