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Court News Ohio
First-Time Ohio
Mock Trial Champion Takes the Trophy
By Stephanie Beougher
March 16, 2015
More than 300 high school students from 32 teams competed during a
three-day period, with one team emerging victorious.
Westerville North High School defeated Ashland High School to win the
32nd annual High School Mock Trial Competition on March 14. It was the
first time a Westerville North team had won the mock trial final.
“For us to be the first people to actually win it, let alone get here,
it was breathtaking, unbelievable, nerve-wracking, and crazy,”
Westerville North’s Amy Cox said after the competition.
Her teammate, Matthew Spadarow, was named the outstanding witness. As
to the key to their victory, Spadarow said: “It was definitely all the
preparation for this. Having attorney coaches and teacher coaches like
we have is just amazing.”
Students had to prepare arguments for both the plaintiff and defense
for a case focused on the Eighth Amendment of the U.S. Constitution
that prohibits cruel and unusual punishment.
“I have learned so much. I have so much more confidence in public
speaking – all aspects. Even if I don’t go into law, the lessons I’ve
learned are incredible,” Jacqueline Kloos of Westerville North said of
her mock trial experience.
Ohio Mock Trial is a program put on by the Ohio Center for Law-Related
Education and is Ohio’s largest high school academic competition. More
than 3,500 students participate each year, and approximately 1,000
legal professionals volunteer to serve as judges and team advisors.
Westerville North will represent Ohio at the National High School Mock
Trial Championship May 14-16 in Raleigh, North Carolina.
See the video at Court News Ohio
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