Schools
Southland College Prep Charter High School First in the Mock Trial
Southland College Prep seniors Yehoshua McClerklin "Outstanding Attorney" & Shawn Strong tournament's "Outstanding Witness" at ISBA Event
Southland College Prep Charter High School placed first in the Mock Trial competition Saturday in the Bloom Trail Invitational of the Illinois State Bar Association Invitational case, led by an “Outstanding Attorney” and “Outstanding Witness” award for two Southland students.
Southland College Prep senior Yehoshua McClerklin was named the “Outstanding Attorney” and senior Shawn Strong was named the tournament’s “Outstanding Witness” for the second year in a row, in the daylong competition that drew teams from neighboring high schools.
"I am so incredibly proud of our Mock Trial students,” said Sherry Grutzius, Southland College Prep Mock Trial coach. “The best part of coaching this team is watching them shine in the courtroom after the hours and days of practice and preparation. Their confidence grows daily.”
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The Mock Trial season started in July when the team received a 200-page case for an international competition called Empire. In that competition, Southland won two of four trials, and sophomore Kehinde Sowemimo received the “Outstanding Witness” of the tournament in a field of 240 students.
Southland’s 14 mock trial students, 10 of whom competed in the Bloom Trail competition, are enrolled in a yearlong Trial Advocacy course, in addition to after school team practices. Grutzius, a faculty member at Southland, is able to use her law degree in both the course and during the season. She is also a department chair and senior English teacher.
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This year’s Illinois Bar Association’s 2023 Mock Trial quandary involved a 1st degree murder case, which is always a fan favorite of the students, Grutzius said. Southland represented the defendant in the championship round.
“Our mock trial students are learning skills that will help them throughout their lives, no matter what profession they choose” said Dr. Blondean Y. Davis, Southland CEO.
Members of the 2022-23 team included: Seniors Shawn Strong, Yehoshua McClerklin, Simone Junious, Fernanda Lopez Junior: Jalon McDonald, Sophomores: James Eddings, JaNessa Ravazee, Kehinde Sowemimo, Julia Franklin, Dyllann Roberts; Freshman: Loren Rounds, LaMyra Love, Jaylon Edwards, Rhyianna Alston.
