No argument: St. Mary’s Academy Mock Trial Team is tops

By Trinity Jackson, Contributing Writer
Photo | COURTESY KEVIN GUILLORY

Since I already was participating in many activities at school but also wanted to experience a mock trial, I knew I needed to juggle my schedule. This did not work out very well. Our mock trial coaches gave me and my other team members an ultimatum: If we really wanted to win, we’d have to be more dedicated to our preparation.

The coaches believed in us, but we were letting them down. That’s when we decided to change course. At some point during our practices, the coaches decided to make me team captain, and it was my job to help lead us to the championship.

When we went into the courtroom for the first time, I felt different. I recognized the reality of what we were about to do. I was about to match up against all of these other schools, and the weight was on me. I was scared to lose, scared to make a mistake.

Practice makes perfect

As I continued to practice, I got my flow. On the day of the competition, I put on my suit and arrived at New Orleans Criminal District Court. My friends and I were nervous as ever, but we were excited that we would have the privilege of showing off our talents.

In the first round, I did my very best, and the next thing you know, the defendant was found guilty. Before the next round, our coaches had decided to put me on the defense. My mind spiraled out of control. “Defense? Prosecution is all I know!”

The weight was heavier than I expected, but I pulled through and won. My team and I entered the courtroom for the awards. I received an award for best advocate overall, and I was so proud.

Then Judge Hunter announced the finalists: St. Augustine and St. Mary’s Academy. This was the rematch we were waiting for! This was the moment we knew would come.

Fear and excitement reached dangerous limits. My stomach got butterflies, and I was even more scared because it was just me and my teammate. I almost cried, but my coaches reminded us that we had the best prosecutors and defense lawyers in the city. He let us know that it was our time to shine.

Keeping my cool

The funniest moment came during the championship. I kept calling out objections, and one of the guys on the St. Aug team said something. I got so boiled up that I felt I could reach across the desk! But I composed myself and let them continue.

Because I had the last word, I knew exactly what to do. When I finished my piece, the whole court was left silent and in awe. When they won the verdict, I didn’t fret, because I knew I had done my best.

The results came in. My team and I held hands tight, and our hearts were beating out of our chests. When we heard our school name and first place in the same sentence, we screamed and cried tears of joy. I had led my team to victory, and winning was bliss.

Because of this mock trial experience, I’m more confident in speaking and better at observing arguments. My coaches – Mr. Kevin, Mr. Woods, Mr. Philips and Mr. Tony – each taught me lessons I’ll carry for life.

I really can’t wait until next year, because I will be ready to beat anyone they throw at us. I believe I’ll consider law as a career option for myself. Who knows, maybe one day you’ll see me in the courtroom!

Trinity Jackson is a junior at St. Mary’s Academy. The school’s mock trial team won the ARB-TAW 2019 High School Mock Trial Competition. The ARB-TAW (Allen Ray Bolin-Trial Advocacy Workshop) is named in honor of Macon B. Allen, the first African-American attorney and judge in the U.S. (1844); Charlotte Ray, the first African-American woman attorney in the U.S. (1872); and Jane Bolin, the first African-American woman judge in the U.S. (1939). The competition was coordinated by Judge Arthur L. Hunter Jr.