ARCHBISHOP MURPHY MOCK TRIAL TEAM COMPETES IN CHICAGO
Dec 14 2022 3:33 PM
Congratulations to the AMHS mock trial team, which recently competed at a prestigious invitational in Chicago!
On October 21-22, 2022, 13 Archbishop Murphy students competed at the Empire Mock Trial Invitational at the Hilton Hotel in Chicago. This was the first time AMHS competed in a national-caliber mock trial tournament since 2016, when our team competed in the Empire Mock Trial Invitational-San Francisco.
Our students displayed fantastic teamwork and skill against competitors from across the country!
ABOUT THE EMPIRE MOCK TRIAL INVITATIONAL
During the Empire Mock Trial Invitational, AMHS students competed in four scored trials. Their competitors came from top schools across the U.S., including the defending state champion from Florida and a school from Oregon with 6 total state championships.
Real-life attorneys rated the students in each trial for the criminal prosecution of a fictitious computer engineer/hacker. The engineer was accused of breaking into a computer system and causing widespread panic by sending a false ballistic missile alert.
Students worked for months before the event to come up with convincing arguments. They sorted through hundreds of pages of documents, 8 witness statements, 22 exhibits, and evidence arguments centered on a 911 call transcript. We’re proud of our students’ hard work!
SERVICE PROJECT
While in Chicago, the AMHS team also participated in a service project. The project focused on providing essential hygiene items for the female homeless population.
With this service, students honored the memory of a deceased female member of the Empire Mock Trial organization who was the victim of domestic violence.
MOCK TRIAL COMPETITION RESULTS
The Archbishop Murphy team finished ahead of two of the four teams they faced. 9 of our 13 students competing in the meet were nominated for best witness or best attorney.
Team members included: Trevor Abramson (’24), Katherine Damitio (’24), Chloe Hogue (’23), Ava Jobe (’23), Kathleen Joyce (’25), Ashlie Latta (’24), Olivia Leslie (’25), Kennedy Reed (’24), Makena Schick (’23), Troy Slocum (’23), Sophie St. Jacques (’23), Afomia Theodros (’25), and Erica Walker (’24).
AMHS thanks all of our parent volunteers, recent alumni, local attorneys, and generous donors who help with the mock trial program. Jennifer Flynn and Nathaniel Block coached students in Chicago. Judge Ken Williams, Christina Frausto, and Roger Brodniak acted as key assistant coaches.
This trip would not have been possible without support from the booster club president, Maura St. Jacques. We also thank all the parents, AMHS staff, supporters, and donors who raised funds to cover the costs of the trip, including Trina Coleman, Adrienne Leslie, the Jobe Family, the Schick Family, Olivia Bonsen, Alix Ericksen, Denise Jannusch, Cathy Meehan, Alicia Mitchell, Samantha Morales, Sarah Pedersen, Joan Ritter, Roberta Ryan, and Steve Schmutz.
