The mock trial team has become more than just a group competing for a state championship, it’s a training ground where students build life skills that serve them well beyond high school and into future careers.
Through practice, courtroom simulations, and leadership roles, students gain balance under pressure and master effective argumentation. These skills, according to coaches, are invaluable both in the legal field and beyond.
“Mock trial showed me the different levels that go into a court case other than simply preparing the facts,” said senior Isabella Traylor, a team member. “There’s a whole area to know about court decorum, how to address people, how to present yourself, and complicated steps for almost everything. It also helped me really understand the difference between criminal and civil law not just in charges and sentencing but also with how the case is run.”
The coaching strategies not only propelled the team to the state-level competition in 2022 but also laid a foundation for success in a variety of career paths. By letting seniors take the lead, the coaches foster an environment where students grow into confident leaders.
“Our strategy this year is to let the seniors take the lead on each team and to perform full run-throughs sooner to get the new students used to the feeling of competing,” said coach and practicing attorney, Tiffany Costley. This approach prepares younger team members for the real-world pressures of public speaking and critical thinking.
For Traylor, the program didn’t just teach her courtroom skills; it inspired her to pursue a career in law.
“I had zero desire to be a lawyer before doing mock trial, but it actually made me realize how much I enjoy the subject and see that I’m pretty good at it,” Traylor said “Mock trial ended up being the reason I want to go to law school.”
Costley and Elizabeth Traylor, another coach and practicing attorney, use their law school backgrounds to influence how they shape the training sessions, bringing real-life applications into the mix.
“I think it’s a positive effect, because we teach courtroom skills that Elizabeth and I both learned in law school and use in our jobs on a daily basis,” said Costley, highlighting how mock trial experiences mirror actual legal practice.
The team’s success definitely stems from the unique perspectives and expertise of their coaching staff.
“My coaches are good examples because they provide such good perspectives that I never would have considered,” Traylor said “They help us get through the seemingly useless details that help us to refine our case even more. We even have a coach who did mock trial in college and has greatly helped us with how the club compares to actual court.”
The team has exhibited rapid growth over the past years.
“The first time we went to state I was truly shocked because we were a team of mostly underclassmen with no experience, but it just really showed us how capable we were and how well we performed in regionals,” Traylor said. “The next year, it was kind of an expectation for us to go to state, and we definitely felt more confident in our skill, but we were once again shocked to be in the top 10 in the state out of around 35 teams. This year, we’re going in with a positive mindset and with the goal of not only making it to state but placing even higher than we did last year.”
Mock trial is more than just preparation for a competition; it’s a training ground for future leaders and professionals. By focusing on real-world skills and building confidence through hands-on experiences, students like Traylor leave the program ready to tackle challenges that extend far beyond the courtroom.
