By: Katie Borders

Opinion Editor

The LGHS Mock Trial Club smashed it at Invitationals and then prepared for the upcoming formal competitions, which began Jan. 22. This year’s intriguing trial case begins with information on a company’s big project —an artificial joint replacement called ForeverFlex — coming to light. Tensions rise between the company’s CEO and his co-worker Tobie Clark as they disagree over how to proceed. Everything unravels when the CEO is found dead in his hotel suite, stabbed with a champagne saber. The accused? His friend and co-worker, Tobie Clark. In this year’s case, Mock Trial’s two competitive teams prepare arguments that either incriminate defendant Tobie Clark (prosecution team) or attempt to prove his innocence (defense team).

Co-president and fourth-year returner Josie Malone is excited about competing in person after three years of online competitions. Malone commented, “I’m excited [and] a little nervous … we will have an audience which is kind of intimidating … but I’m really excited to see what it’s going to be like [and] our team’s doing pretty well.” Malone, an attorney for the defense, is confident in her team and remarks, “I feel like everybody seems to enjoy their role and enjoy what they’re doing.” 

Junior Ava Thompson, who portrays defendant Tobie Clark in the Mock Trial, is also both excited and nervous about the upcoming competitions. She explained, “There’s definitely different levels of how people present themselves, and a lot of people can interpret the cases very differently … I’m excited to see how everybody does.” Thompson elaborated on her experience in Mock Trial, saying, “I’ve been having a really good time getting to hang out with my friends and meeting new people … I enjoy the camaraderie, and it’s just a lot of fun.” Thompson is prepared for the competitions and believes that Mock Trial has “definitely helped with [her] public speaking and has allowed [her] to learn how to present [herself] in a professional way.”

Freshman and newcomer Han Tang, who acts as an attorney for the defense, feels confident in his team and explained that everyone works well together. “We collaborate a lot. If someone needs help, you can always ask another person… and you’ll definitely get a good response.”

Third-year returner Yilin Fang feels ready primarily for competitions and hopes to do well in the first four rounds to progress to the quarterfinals. Fang expressed, “I’ve always been really interested in policy and law because my brother is a lawyer.”  She explained that one reason she joined Mock Trial in freshman year – starting as the time-keeper and then participating as a witness the past two years – was to see if she is interested in the legal field.

Off to a promising and confident start, the LGHS Mock Trial Club will step into upcoming competitions with a polished and strong head start.