Colorado Academy’s A and B Mock Trial Teams will compete at the Colorado State Tournament on March 14 and 15 — going up against the winners from the Regional Tournaments throughout the State. The two teams earned their spots at State by winning first and second place at the Regional Tournament last month. The State competition will take place at the Jefferson County Courthouse.
Students in the Mock Trial program have committed themselves to weekly practices for four months. Working under the tutelage of the attorney-coaches, students master the nuances of courtroom litigation, learn the Rules of Evidence, and fine-tune their rhetorical skills. Forced to think on their feet, student-attorneys make and reply to evidentiary objections. In one bitter showdown on the second day of the Regional Tournament, CA’s A and B teams faced one another in a close match. Denver District Court Judge John Madden presided over the round. Upon its conclusion, he revealed to the event coordinator, “Without question, that has to be one of the best rounds I have seen in 22 years of my association with mock trial.”
Students who assume the role of witnesses provide the evidence for the rounds. They must know their sworn affidavits, defend them, and testify accurately and convincingly. Being an effective witness requires a blend of theater, attention to detail, and legal intrigue. That is one of the ways Mock Trial enables students from various backgrounds to come together and exhibit talents that may not be as valued in other programs and competitions.
In this year’s Regional Tournament, Harrison Chang earned special recognition for his role as an accident reconstruction expert. Colin Cowperthwaite and Katie Fink also earned well-deserved awards for Outstanding Witness, and Zenzi Price and Ellie King earned special recognition as Outstanding Attorneys. Spectators are welcome to attend and support CA as the A and B Teams vie for the opportunity to advance to the National Tournament.