This year my school, Cornerstone Christian Academy, participated in the 2002 Mock Trial district and state competitions with two teams. Both of our teams performed exceptionally well and gained public notice for their superb representation.

Cornerstone Christian Academy received our case materials this past November. We had a number of veteran mock trial participants and plenty of new students join as well. In fact team one was made up of three seniors, three juniors, and two freshmen.

Our social studies teacher Mr. Maine, served as the Mock Trial teacher advisor. And an exciting new addition to our coaching team was Mr. Rost, who was a lawyer who had competed in Mock Trial competitions on the law school level.

Our student lawyers had to giveng statements, closing arguments, direct examinations and cross-examinations. In order to accurately argue our cases, our lawyers needed to understand the law and the way a courtroom is run. Also, all of our participants learned to thing on their feet.
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On February 22, 20002 we participated in the Lake District competition at the Lake County Court House. About twenty-eight schools participated. Team one placed second, and our team two placed fourth (according to the points). It was an exciting day filled with rejoicing. Since the top three teams are allowed to move onto the state competition, our team one headed down to Columbus to compete.

We arrived in Columbus on March 14. Team one had the pleasure of having team two accompany us to the state competition, and were our own private cheering section. We arrived at the courthouse in the late afternoon, with our prosecution ready to perform. It was a tense trial, but our team gave a strong presentation and 1 was able to walk away with a best witness award. Later that night, the Ohio Center for Law Related Education (OCLRE) hosted a party at COSI for all of the teams.

Then on March 15, it was our defense's turn to win a trial. At that trial, our defense attorney, Amy Zettle won the coveted Outstanding Lawyer award, and I was able to take another Outstanding Witness award. Then it was time to wait, and wait some more. Our nerves and fatigue built as we waited to see which top eight schools, out of forty-six would move on to the state semi-finals. Finally, after about an hour and a half Betsy McNabb, the mock trial coordinator, in random order announced the eight schools that would stay. When she came to the seventh school we heard “Cornerstone Christian Academy”. I was overwhelmed and elated. We soon learned that defense had to perform again and our opponents would be the team that went to nationals last year. Needless to say we were a little nervous, but in the end our team shined, and I won one more best witness award.

Everyone was up early the next morning to watch the prosecution to perform once more. It was a strange trial, but we were extremely proud of all of our teammates.

All in all, it was a more amazing experience then I could have ever dreamed of. God blessed our team greatly and stood with us the whole time. Our hope to was bring God glory through our performance. It is our desire to carry on our Christian name again next year.

A Mind at Hard Work -Mock Trial
by Margaret Shipitalo

When asked to describe mock trial, the first adjective that comes to mind is hard work. For a few months out of the year you eat, sleep, and breathe mock trial. This year was my third year as a lawyer on the team and it is surprising how much effort needs to be put in before getting a polished result. Each year I have been on the team we have increased our level of competitiveness. This year our team received a second place trophy at the district competition and was awarded seventh place at the state level in Columbus.