By Daniel Gao and Michael Lin, Staff Writer
Mills has finally reinstated their Mock Trial team since its 4 year absence. The news spread like fire and soon picked up the interest of Mills students, ranging from freshman to seniors. The cause of the absence was attributed to the lack of interest from previous years, due to the lack of members, the Mock Trial team remains in limbo waiting for the light of day where it would once again provide a fun and studious environment for students.
Students will be provided with fictional scenarios in which they would later be appointed to a role involved in a court of law. There, they would then act out the court case as prosecutor, or defendant. At the moment, the current case involves a skirmish between actors, which lead to a regrettable or otherwise accidental injury upon one of the actors. Other than an accident, the actor “Jordan Franks” was additionally charged with the petty theft of a Shakespearean ring. The result was ruled in favor of the defense team on Friday. As of now, the Trial team will continue their recitals in preparation for their next trial. “I think it is a very engaging role, it gives me a lot of opportunities to express myself creatively. It also is a lot of responsibility, but overall I am really honored to be part of the trial.” Chloe Ho (11), otherwise known as Jordan Franks in the trial, expresses her satisfaction with her rewarding experience. Max Zaninovich (11), one of the three defense attorneys, said he, “really enjoyed acting as a lawyer and learning the legal system.”
Katelyn Chang’s (12), vision of creating a school mock trial team came to fruition as Ms. Campbell agreed to become the Mock Trial team supervisor. Joined by Katelyn Lam (12), they together formed the lead attorneys for the prosecution and defense team. Other students filled in roles such as pretrial attorney, clerk, bailiff, and witnesses. To practice for the spring competition, the team meets every Monday at Ms. Campbell’s room after school. Recently the Mills team hosted a scrimmage with the Burlingame mock trial team to get their first feeling of a formal trial. With the Spring competition happening in an actual county courthouse with a real judge, the team is working hard to provide an entertaining yet convincing case to prove their capabilities and reliability for civil justice.
Unfortunately, on November 29, the mock trial advisor, Ms. Campbell had a serious accident causing her temporary absence. In order to assure the flow of the judicial system, Ms Campbell’s daughter along with other teachers willing to substitute in her place. “I feel like our team is lacking direction, but I think we have good team leaders.” According to Daniel Gao (12) a witness of the trial, the presence of uncertainty is a shadow that soils our sense of direction, but under successful leadership, this is yet another hardship that challenges the will and strength of trial members.
With the mock trial team making tremendous progress perfecting their statements, it is ever so proud and prepared to set course towards the courtroom and display their remarkable acknowledgment of the law. However, due to the current progress of the trial, it will no longer accept applicants, however if there is any interest that lingers until next year, all are welcome to join the Mock Trial team.
