The gallery waits to hear a witnesses’ response to a question posed by the 8th grade Walnut Springs “attorney.”
Middle School Mock Trial teams gathered at the Westerville City Council Chamber on February 24 to practice for the upcoming competition. Serving as Judge was Zach Wilkerson, Westerville North High School teacher and Mock Trial advisor. Advanced 8th grade social studies teachers Tristen Henry (Blendon), Drew Farrell (Genoa), Patrick Acocks (Heritage), and Liz Stokes (Walnut Springs) coordinated this middle school extra-curricular program with support from the Gifted Education and Social Studies Departments. New this year are “Mock” Mock Trials for seventh grade teams who are not competing but are learning the process. Caley Nestor-Baker (Genoa) and Jacob Thuman (Heritage) led these teams. Special thanks was given to the Westerville Clerk of Courts office.
Middle School Mock Trial cases are written by teams of teachers and lawyers who craft a trial from literature taught in middle school English classes. This program is designed using Ohio’s content standards for social studies and English language arts ….so analytical and thinking skills grow and shine when students argue these cases. Judged by panels of attorneys, designed to create school pride and generate learning at the highest possible level, the State Showcase takes place in Columbus at the Supreme Court of Ohio on March 24.