The Melrose-Mindoro high school mock trial team capped off another great season on Saturday, February 3rd, at the regional tournament at the La Crosse County Courthouse. Although they placed second in overall points and were originally told they would advance to the state tournament for the second year in a row, after an appeal and subsequent ruling on a scoring technicality, the Mustangs were informed they would not be advancing to state competition. The governing organization is being asked to reconsider its decision and allow the Mustangs to return to Madison the first weekend in March.
Each year, teams across the state are given information about the same imaginary court case and tasked with assigning students to portray attorneys and witnesses for each side. Team members are responsible for learning the rules of evidence and crafting opening statements, closing arguments, and direct and cross examinations of witnesses, or creating entertaining and convincing witness portrayals to support their case, then put their skills to the test against teams from other schools. This year’s case was a civil action to determine liability between two teenage friends after one took a mushroom provided by the other that turned out to be poisonous, not hallucinogenic.
Lillyan Potter and Isabella Libke portrayed attorneys for each side and were tasked with arguing both sides of the case at the tournament – an impressive feat. Reese Cowley and Viola Finch (a returning team member with a knack for strong arguments) portrayed the other two attorneys depending on the round, and, when not playing attorney, Cowley acted as the plaintiff’s poisoned victim and primary witness. Other students portraying witnesses were Devin Quilty as the defendant Sam (a real “fun guy”), Isabella Quilty as a kooky teenage entrepreneur who grows mushrooms in gym lockers on purpose, Aubryanna Finch as the level-headed and straight-laced bandmate who would rather be playing music, and Isabel Jimenez and exchange student Sara Hertzog as enthusiastically nerdy but flawed dueling experts in the field of mycology (the study of mushrooms).
The team’s coaches – retired Mel-Min teacher Jeff Woodward and Jackson County District Attorney Emily Hynek – champion the mock trial program for the critical thinking, problem solving, and public speaking skills it cultivates in students. Both of them have the highest praise for this year’s team, which consisted of mock trial veterans and promising newcomers who came together for an impressive performance last Saturday against multiple teams from Prairie du Chien, Reedsburg, and River Valley. Woodward and Hynek could not be prouder of every single student on their team, and they continue to believe wholeheartedly that the team has earned the opportunity to return to the state tournament. The coaches also want to thank seniors Isabella Quilty and Isabel Jimenez for their dedication to the mock trial program and their mentorship of younger team members that contributed so greatly to the team’s successes this year.
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