Memorable Night for Van Horn, Truman Mock Trial Teams

For the first time in nearly 10 years, the Van Horn Falcon Mock Trial Team took part in a Kansas City district mock trial event. Competing in real courtrooms with local attorneys serving as scorers and presiding judges, the Van Horn ‘newbies’ more than held their own.

“I can’t tell you how absolutely amazing our Van Horn team was,” said Chris Adams, director of debate and legal communications for Van Horn and Truman High School.

Van Horn mock trial students acted as attorneys and witnesses, facing Liberty High School in a case involving bullying in a public high school. The Falcons acted as the defense while Liberty was the plaintiff.

“Our kids were totally professional, poised and confident and owned the courtroom,” Adams said. “While we did not win the round, we won a major victory for Van Horn in reputation among mock trial schools.” Adams said the judges were very impressed with Van Horn’s effort and praised the team’s professionalism, case theme and witness-attorney interaction.

Competing in the same event, Truman High School’s two Mock Trial Teams were victorious, the ‘Crimson’ team besting Jefferson County and the ‘Blue’ team topping Blue Springs South by 41 points. Schools competing in the Kansas City Region are Truman, Van Horn, Blue Springs South, Liberty, Liberty North, Pembroke Hill, Lee’s Summit North, Belton, Jefferson County, Excelsior Springs and Rockhurst.

(Van Horn’s Mock Trial Team- Sumer Laskoske, Kayla Wiley, Tristian Stickle, Chloe Trimble, Emily Ochoa, Kavonne Wright and Ciara Ledesma)

(Truman’s ‘Crimson’ team- Scott Bower, Brian Berner, Nick Guppy, Teala Sadler, Courtney Thomas, Lorinda Ruz and Elijah Rojas.)