The 2014-15 Regional Middle School Mock Trial teams came together at the Westerville’s City Council Chamber on March 27 to practice for the upcoming competition on April 16 in downtown Columbus. Serving as Judge for the mock trial hearings was Westerville North Media Specialist and Coach of the State Champion Westerville North High School Mock Trial team, Zach Wilkerson. This year’s mock trial case is based on the book Animal Farm by George Orwell.
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 in April.
The middle school mock trial program is led by the students’ advanced social studies teachers Liz Stokes, Walnut Springs; Ryan Borland, Genoa; Kimberly Demooy, Blendon; and Patrick Acocks, Heritage, with support from the Gifted Education Department. Special thanks to Mary Johnston in the Westerville Clerk of Courts office, for making this event possible.
For further information about Middle School Mock Trial, please visit http://www.oclre.org/middleschoolmocktrial/.