The 19 members of Menlo School’s mock trial team won a bronze medal at the state finals in Riverside March 22, and with it, a trip to the American Mock Trial competition in New Brunswick, NJ, in May.
Menlo’s ersatz lawyers and witnesses finished in the top three following four rounds of competition with the top 34 teams in California at the state finals, sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation. The fictitious case they tried involved an arson fire at a religious compound.
It was a surprise finish for the Menlo team, since it had only competed once before in the state finals, said Debbe Stern, a Menlo parent. “More than half its members had never competed in mock trials before the first scrimmage in December,” she said.
The team practiced nights and weekends preparing for the competition, with help from Menlo teacher Dan Devitt, the team’s faculty sponsor, and parent volunteers, Ms. Stern said. Local lawyers and fire marshals also lent their expertise, she said.
The mock trial program furthers an understanding of important constitutionally protected rights, as well as developing skills in logical reasoning, public speaking and knowledge about the law, according to Mr. Devitt.
