By Erica Zhu ’23
This year, Sem Mock Trial’s varsity team decisively debated their way into the Pennsylvania State Semifinals for the first time since 2018– placing 3rd out of the 14 competing teams– where the team was able to fulfill their aspiration to perfect the art of debate, performance, and fun. As the honorable practicing Attorney Michael Kowalski says, “Mock Trial is the ultimate extreme obstacle course.”
Each year, a case is written for students to compete with from the regional to state level. The provided material this year centered around a racing competitor’s death on an extreme obstacle course, in which it is the team’s job to discern whether it was the fault of the participant or whether the company behind the course was “grossly negligent” in the creation and facilitation of their course. On one hand, the racer was reckless, irresponsible, and possibly intoxicated. On the other hand, the company did not enforce crowd control, lacked training for their staff, and did not install any form of safety measures– such as guard rails, visible signs, lines– to aid their contestants. The complexity behind the term “grossly negligent” was certainly a challenge regardless of whether the team served as the Plaintiff or Defense counsel(representing the company or the racer that died, respectively). From making objections to thwarting opposing counsels with carefully crafted responses, each member was integral to the success of a trial. Dr. Froehlich the Wise, club supervisor, sums up this year from his perspective: “I’m proud of the hard work that our team put in. So excited to have seen Sem return to the state tournament!”
There were scrimmages with the entirety of the Sem Mock Trial team, late night study sessions, and plenty of case materials printed. The team certainly could not have done it alone, though. With the help of coaches Dr. Peter Froehlich, Mrs. Kristie Stevenson, and Atty. Michael Kowalski, there was plenty of feedback for the team both in practice and in trial. Not only was the team able to hone presentation skills, they were able to learn in-depth understandings of legal terminology. In Mrs. Stevenson’s message to the team this year, she states, “Mock trial is the most intense academic sport I have ever witnessed. From public speaking, to courtroom presence, to teamwork, to thinking on their feet, these students are among the most talented I’ve met. Thank you all for allowing me to help with the team, and Pennsylvania better be ready for Sem Mock Trial next year.”
A big thank you goes out from the team to all the parents, staff, and peers who made this possible. As the next year dawns, it is important to remember that one can take the team out of a trial, but they’ll never take the mock trial out of Sem– and, well, this team is just getting started.
MEET THE TEAM:
Paige Kenewell ‘24 as Tori Damon and Chris Tempesto
Christian DeBellis ‘24 as Issie Cameron
McKayla Williams ‘24 as DJ Hatchet
Abby Chong ‘24 as Dr. Rogers and Devin Cody
Grace Kowalski ‘24 as Opening Attorney
Erica Zhu ‘23 as Attorney
Paul Stevenson ‘24 as Pretrial and Closing Attorney