Thomas County Central High School Mock Trial team has completed its third competition season.
Its last event for this term was an invitational tournament held Sunday, Feb. 25, at Georgia State University College of Law in Atlanta. The Grady High School Mock Trial Foundation sponsored the event. Six teams competed in two rounds; each team had three attorneys and three witnesses in each round. A professional attorney played the presiding judge and a panel of judges (professional attorneys, judges and law students) provided feedback. The TCCHS team finished the event with a 1-1 record.
TCCHS teacher and practicing attorney Brian Bellamy is the team’s coach.
“The mock trial competition provides a strong education,” he said. “As they prepare and compete, students learn about civic responsibility, law, and naturally develop their ability to form evidence-backed arguments.”
During the invitational, member Nathaniel Bellamy earned a witness award. Bellamy says mock trial gives him the chance to tell a story through different characters while persuading his audience to believe each one. During the first round, Nathaniel portrayed a detective who is a witness for the prosecution; in the second round, he performed as a defense witness.
“When I won the prize, it gave me a boost of confidence and the pleasure of knowing that my hard work stood out to the judges and my audience,” the sophomore said. “I think that my hard work to memorize a character's role and courage not only to get up there and tell my story but put myself in someone else's shoes made me stand out.”
2017-2018 TCCHS Mock Trial competition participants were: Kennedy Ward, Julia Harper, Shadrick Hollis, Brooke Giemza, Michael Cress, Brittney Watson, Nathaniel Bellamy, Izabelle Fulgencio, Hunter Jones, Gabriella Schminky, Collin Reaves, Kylen Meares and A'Lexus Mathis. Members held such positions as prosecution attorney, defense attorney, prosecution witness, defense witness and timekeeper. The team was given permission to practice in a courtroom at the Thomas County Courthouse.
For competitions, teams work together to prepare their presentations from case materials provided by the Georgia Bar's High School Mock Trial Committee, Brian Bellamy explains. Teams compete in actual courtrooms across Georgia and must adhere to the same rules and procedures that apply in real life trials.
“The only difference between a real trial and a mock trial is that teams are evaluated on their ability to make a logical, cohesive and persuasive presentation, rather than on the legal merits of the case,” he said.
This year’s TCCHS team is comprised of members with mixed experience levels.
“The TCCHS team is less experienced than other schools in the region and continues to progress year over year,” Brian Bellamy said. “Through practice, students demonstrate development in the knowledge of law and procedures, as well as the ability to perform under pressure.”
Senior Brooke Giemza has been with the program since it began three years ago. She has always wanted to be a lawyer.
“I think the overall competition is an excellent experience for people who want to go into this job area,” Giemza said. “This competition has taught me to be able to speak my mind, and to learn the law, and to take action.”
Member Kylen Meares calls mock trial a blast for everyone.
“It's enjoyable, and almost like a game where you get as much helpful information for your side and create persuasive arguments and questions to help your party win,” he said. “The mock trial team is an excellent, fun way to utilize your cognitive skills.”