Mock Trial Competes at State Competition

The St. Andrew's Episcopal School Mock Trial Team had a very successful weekend at the Statewide Competition, finishing the tournament by earning fourth place in a very talented field of schools. The team performed extremely well as it competed against larger schools, defeating Biloxi High School and Jackson Prep and losing to Oxford High School and Madison Central High School. The latter two teams finished in the top three positions in this tournament, and only five points combined on the three judges' ballots separated St. Andrew's and Madison Central in a fiercely contested final round matchup. 
 
The members of the Mock Trial team include seniors Sarah Belk Poulson, Abby Sivak, and Catherine Zhou; juniors Anabelle Abraham, Bess Ketner, and Caroline Lowery; and sophomores Mattie Ellis and Claudia Maron. Not only did the team perform well, but every student on the team earned individual awards. Opposing teams and the three judges for each round select whom they believe to be the most effective attorneys and witnesses in each round.

After the six rounds of competition from the Regional and Statewide Competition the results for individual awards are as follow:
 
Most Effective Attorney:
 
Caroline Lowery - 13 awards
Bess Ketner  - 3 awards
Sarah Belk Poulson - 1 award
 
Most Effective Witness:
 
Catherine Zhou - 4 awards
Mattie Ellis - 3 awards
Abby Sivak - 3 awards
Anabelle Abraham - 2 awards
Claudia Maron - 1 award
 
Caroline Lowery earned second place in the state as most effective attorney, while Catherine Zhou earned fifth place in the state as most effective witness. The fact that every student on the team earned awards for their performances speaks to the tremendous talent, dedication, and willingness to listen to their coaches' advice displayed by these eight students. 
 
The team would not have performed as well as it did without the excellent coaching provided by Vicki Lowery and David Maron. Both coaches gave generously of their time and talents to help these students understand the case and to develop their critical thinking, legal reasoning, and public speaking skills, and their ability to think on their feet. A big thank you goes to all of the parents who supported the team, especially Claire Ketner, who provided food for the team during a brief lunch break on Saturday. It was a great weekend to be a Saint!
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Foundations — Grade 12 • Jackson, Mississippi
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