THS Advances to Missouri High School Mock Trial State Championship

With a fourth place finish in the Kansas City Region, the Truman High School Mock Trial Team earned a spot in the Missouri High School Mock Trial State Championship March 26-29 at the University of Missouri Law School in Columbia. Sponsored by the Missouri Bar Association, mock trial is a competition where students are given a case and then create both sides of the legal argument using student attorneys and witnesses.

“Congratulations to Truman High School on this terrific accomplishment,” said Allison Greenfield, Kansas City regional mock trial co-director. “I had numerous judges tell me how impressed they were with the students’ skill and knowledge.”

Most of Truman’s team members are in the school’s legal communications class and many are involved in debate and drama.  Those talents are very beneficial in building a top tier mock trial team.

“It takes critical thinking, the ability to communicate a clear message and persuasive speaking skills to be successful in mock trial,” said Chris Adams, Truman’s coach. “We practice twice a week and work on memorizing and utilizing key facts, just like any attorney preparing for a trial.”

Pictured are (left to right) (back): Lorinda Ruz, Mitchell Pritchard, Madeleine Petentler, Scott Bower, Courtney Thomas and Karly Kinsey. Front row: Teala Sadler- team captain, Eli Rojas,  Madison Attaway, Jaggard Williams, Alex Millard and Ethan Williams. Not pictured are coaches Chris Adams and attorney Louis Cohn of the Caldwell and Moll Law Firm.