Case Closed: Mount Vernon Students Survive And Thrive At Mock Trial

MOUNT VERNON, NY — Mount Vernon High School students not only survived a "trial by fire," they thrived and are now setting their sights on another "debatable" challenge.

From the Mount Vernon City School District.

Dressed in their finest suits, Mount Vernon High School’s mock trial team, led by social studies teacher Drew Stierhoff, completed their competition season on Thursday, March 7, 2024.

Students competed against other teams from the Westchester area in their final mock trial at Westchester County Courthouse. The New York State Bar Association administers the mock trial league to teach students about communication, ethics and professionalism in the courtroom and in other avenues of life.

"I knew this was a really good opportunity and knew it would look good for my college resume, so I tried it," said Rosselyn Ruiz, 11th grade student at MVHS. "Once I tried it, I actually really liked it. I had to learn terminology that was new to me, and it was a really good experience."

Students compete as both the prosecution and the defense, so they learn how to argue from both sides of the courtroom. Students also acted as witnesses. They formed their arguments based on witness testimony and the evidence provided to them, then argued the case in front of a judge and legal expert.

Beyond the rhetorical skills they gain, competing in mock trials can also help students decide if they would like to pursue a legal career. In this trial, they argued an arson case at a paint supply store. The owner was the prime suspect, and they had to determine the case based on different witnesses and case material.

"I gained responsibility and learned not to be so nervous about public speaking," said Deanna Lewis, ninth grade student at MVHS. "My favorite part was experiencing something new and answering the questions, and I think we did really well."

Throughout the season, students learned rhetorical skills and how to defend their thoughts effectively. They gained valuable knowledge and social skills that can help them communicate more strongly.

"It’s a huge opportunity to practice a lot of really important skills," said Mr. Stierhoff. "They practice critical thinking: they’re analytically reading a case and trying to read between the lines and digging in deep to every single word to either make a case to prosecute the defendant or defend him in a real courtroom environment."

While they performed well, the team was eliminated and are now considering beginning a debate team, as they hope to join the American Debate League this spring.

"I think I learned how to talk to people; it helped me out in that area," said Brihanna Bennett, 11th grade student at MVHS. "I feel like the season really prepared us, and our last competition was definitely our best. It was a great experience, especially against the team we were going up against."