L-R Emma Leonard, Nathan Brown, Rebecca Liu
Standing
L-R Kaleb Oliver, Madison Rossillo, Jill Grant, Kaitlyn Ross, Bryana Tuemler
The Fishers area has another academic team with national honors. The Hamilton Southeastern High School Mock Trial team finished as the runner-up in national competition.
Members of the team are pictured and named above. The team is coached by Janet Chandler.
Below is a news release explaining in more detail how the competition, held in Chicago, was organized and performed:
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HSE Mock Trial team members practiced in June and July in preparation for the National Judicial Competition (NJC) sponsored by the YMCA. The case concerned Sam Jones’ parent who sued Metro City for damages due to Sam’s death from pindiatosis caused by pindia in the drinking water. Sides argued whether Metro City did enough to control pindia in the water. Sam also had been previously diagnosed with leukemia which compromised his immune system.
Teams are limited to eight participants. Some students play multiple roles.
Plaintiff Attorneys:
Bryana Tuemler (12), Madison Rossillo (10), and Kaleb Oliver (12)
Plaintiff Witnesses:
Ricki Jones (Plaintiff) —Kaitlyn Ross (11)
Alex Foster –works for Metro City Public Utilities—Nathan Brown (12)
Dr. Pat Dawes (oncologist)—Jill Grant (11)
Defense Attorneys: Rebecca Liu (12), Nathan Brown (12), and Emma Leonard (12)
Defense Witnesses:
Chris Baird (Member of City Council)—Madison Rossillo (10)
Dr. Hunter Williams (parasitologist)—Jill Grant (11)
Tyler Johnson (volunteer counselor)—Kaitlyn Ross (11)
Kaitlyn Ross took top honors as most outstanding witness in the competition.
Twenty-seven mock trial teams vied for the NJC mock trial championship. Washington state took top honors with HSE Mock Trial as the NJC Runner-Up.
In preparation, the Indiana Bar Foundation asked the team to perform a demonstration for some litigation attorneys at Ice Miller. Hamilton County Magistrate David Najjar also presided for the team’s dress rehearsal in his courtroom.
In addition to trials, the team participated in NJC organized activities that included improv from ComedySportz and a dinner cruise on Lake Michigan. The team also enjoyed deep-dish pizza as well as a visit to Millennium Park.
Teachers Ethan Mathias and Janet Chandler accompanied the students to Chicago.
The team will be conducting auditions in September in preparation for its 2018 county and regional season.