After going undefeated this season, the Townsend Harris Mock Trial team has advanced to the quarterfinals following their win against Hillcrest High School at Thurgood Marshall Courthouse last Wednesday.
The team’s previous competitions were against Martin Van Buren, Flushing, and Jamaica Gateway to the Sciences High Schools. Due to the team’s overall performance and win against Gateway, they were able to bypass the third round of the regional competition and advance through the bracket quicker.
In Mock Trial competitions students take on the roles of either attorneys or witnesses and present a case in a courtroom setting. Teams compete in rounds against other high school teams and are scored on direct and cross examinations and opening and closing statements. The season begins with multiple preliminary rounds which lead to elimination rounds such as quarterfinals later on.
To prepare for competition, the team maintains a regular practice schedule. Members meet regularly both at THHS and at Katten Muchin Rosenman, a partnering law firm, where they run full mock trials, refine questioning techniques, and receive feedback from experienced attorneys. Practices consist of students practicing script memorization, objection drills, and learning how to respond to questions during trials.
“We’re off to a great start,” said captain Rebecca Castrillon. “We are four rounds into the season and have yet to lose a round. The momentum is high, and the team is feeling inspired to keep pushing and working hard.”
Social studies teacher and Mock Trial advisor Siobhan Brand spoke on students’ understanding of courtroom procedures and case materials. “Each student has learned and understood case materials, court procedures, and rules of evidence to simulate a well-organized trial,” she said.
According to Rebecca, one of the team’s biggest strengths this year has been the chemistry between attorneys and witnesses. As practices progressed, pairs began to anticipate each other’s cues and adapt their questioning in real time during rounds. “Because our members have developed such a strong rapport, they can now anticipate each other’s cues and adapt on the fly,” she said.
Junior Jooahn Bahng who plays a witness role added that balancing school responsibilities with competition preparation can be challenging, especially when major assignments or tests fall close to a trial. However, she said support from teammates has helped members manage the workload.
Despite the challenges, captains have seen noticeable growth among teammates. Returning members say that the team’s collaborative atmosphere has played a major role in its success.
Junior Rufaida Anowar, who joined the team as a freshman, said, “Our team this year works really well together, and everyone puts in so much effort to make sure we do well.”
Jooahn said, “Last year, I felt like we were a bit disconnected. This year we’re focusing on ways to improve each other and really honing in on feedback to build each other up.”
Rufaida also emphasized the role returning members play in mentoring newcomers, particularly when it comes to learning the structure of a mock trial and developing performance skills. “As a witness, I help new witnesses with line delivery, memorization, and how to answer questions to the best of their ability,” she said.
For new members, the season has provided a glimpse into the demanding, but rewarding nature of mock trials. Sophomore Eunbe Choe, a first-year member, said, “The season has been tiring but also very rewarding,” Eunbe said. “Practices can be long, but it’s worth it when I see our hard work paying off.”
Ms. Brand also highlighted the team’s leadership and collaboration across grade levels as a defining characteristic of this year’s group. “Our team leaders and participants are from different grade levels and have a great dynamic with one another despite their age differences,” she said.
The team’s next competition against James Madison High School in the first round of quarterfinals will be on April 23 at Thurgood Marshall Courthouse.
Going into quarterfinals, Rebecca said, “Our main goal is to maintain our current trajectory. We’ve entered every competition exceptionally prepared, and we plan to keep that streak going. We want to take the momentum we’ve built and refine our arguments even further as the stakes get higher.”
