Morgan Park Academy’s Upper School mock trial team placed fourth among 16 teams at a competition hosted by the Circuit Court of Cook County’s Sixth Municipal District last weekend.
In two rounds of competition at South Suburban College in South Holland on Feb. 8, MPA students served as plaintiff and defense attorneys and witnesses in a civil matter, being assessed by sitting judges within the district and practicing attorneys.
The team is composed of senior Andrea Butts; juniors Isabella Cabello, Emmett Campbell, Charles Hendon, India Lopez, Kaihla Ozuruigbo-Anderson, Christopher Skawiniak, and Bradley White; sophomores Elijah Davis and Ignatius Gathman; and freshmen Selena Eng, Josh Kirksy, Marie Norkett, and Oriella Ortiz.
The Illinois State Bar Association supports this program as a way for students to increase their knowledge of the judicial system by learning how to prepare and present a legal case, improve their oral, research, writing and team building skills, and learn good citizenship.