The MHS Mock Trial Team recently placed second at their Lake County regional.
Club member, Riley Demko, explained that team members learn about legal processes and courtroom procedure during pre-season meetings. They study practice cases to make members feel comfortable with reading case materials, writing statements and answering questions until they receive the case they present at the state competition.
Senior Lia Koski, the club president explained that they review the case for state competition inside out. The Mundelein Team is split into prosecution and defense and each side has certain people playing each role. The focus is how well they know the law. For the invitationals, they have to represent their side of the argument sometimes in front of a real judge.
The club is certainly for those who aspire to pursue pre-law, but it is also for those who do not want to go to law school. The club infuses skills like thinking in the moment and public speaking.
Demko explained that the club is competitive and has improved over the years. She emphasized that everyone encourages each other to do their best and have fun; there is a place for everyone in the club.
“I joined the club being a shy student that feared giving a presentation in front of my classmates and I can confidently say I am leaving as a student with the drive to become a lawyer and can speak in front of current judges and attorneys with confidence,” shared Demko.
Nicole Malham, the club supervisor, always looks forward to the meetings. “It is a great group of kids… they are so fun and hardworking,” she said.
Malham added that out of the 21 people on the team, 17 are women; she loves that Mock Trial is a place at MHS for women to be strong and intellectual powerhouses in a court.
Koski established the club as a sophomore with the support of the club supervisor, Nicole Malham who started to coach again after ten years. The club has had an average of twenty members each year.
“The club is my legacy… I cannot wait to show up at their competition next year and cheer for them,” Koski said.
