When you think about a mock-trial team, sometimes the first thing that comes to mind is the grooming of young lawyers to be. That would be, in legal terms, cause for an objection. “It’s really not to train lawyers,” said
When you think about a mock-trial team, sometimes the first thing that comes to mind is the grooming of young lawyers to be.
That would be, in legal terms, cause for an objection.
“It’s really not to train lawyers,” said attorney Ted Chihara, one of the coaches of the Kaua‘i High School Mock-Trial Team. “It’s to train people to think.”
And if the word “team” conjures up notions of a group of people playing sports, that would be accurate, as members of the Kaua‘i High School team, again state champions and again readying to participate in a potentially grueling national championship, are training to get physically, mentally and emotionally fit to participate in the national championships.
Kaua‘i High School Mock-Trial Teams have won the state championship nine years, gone to the national championships seven of those years, and this year’s edition is practicing daily until members, coaches and parents leave Sunday, May 1 for the national finals in North Carolina.
“They’ve got a shot this year,” said J. Michael Ratcliffe, another attorney and coach.
Chihara likens the rigorous training going on to prepare the young minds for the finals to “mental aikido,” where in the rondori exercise, where sometimes one person faces five opponents at once, is similar to what the mocktrail team members may face in the national finals.
“It’s like that in mock trial. You have to watch” for expected and unexpected actions and reactions from the judge, jury, defendants, plaintiffs, other attorneys, and others, and be ready to react in a split second, he said. In addition to training the high schoolers in the art of quick thinking, moving the thoughts to words rapidly and influentially, and sharpening their arts of persuasion, there is also physical endurance that needs to be heightened, he said.
In order to become national champions, the team must prepare for and win five trials in two days.
The team members are Kayla Armstrong, Michelle Beck, Tyson Chihara, Lauren Chun, Roxanne Dubois, Ezra Fernandez, Nicole Gaetjens, Mari Graham, Nick Hasegawa, Mattie Leininger, Steven McClaran, Liane Muraoka, Dustin Russell, Amanda Savage, Elizabeth Schiller, Alex Sirois, Cassady Sirois, Mike Tsugawa, Marisa Valenciano, Renee Wilson and Parris Zina. Besides Ted Chihara and Ratcliffe, the coaches include Cara Foley, Aric Fujii, Kelly Giem, Dorothy Hoe, Becky Sadamitsu and Edwin Sawyer.
Through the course of this year, the team earned four Outstanding Attorney awards, and four Outstanding Witness awards, along with the state title.
Nick Hasegawa and Parris Zina were recipients of the attorney awards, with Michelle Beck and Alex Sirois being awarded the witness accolades.
Team captains are Lauren Chun, Mari Graham, Hasegawa, Amanda Savage, Alex Sirois, and Zina. In addition to making trial preparations for the national championships, team members also are raising funds to defray travel expenses estimated to exceed $40,000.
A fund-raising raffle is under way, with the grand prize being a one-week resort stay any-where in the continental United States. Contributions may be made by contacting Ted Chihara at his office, 245-1855. For more information on the mock-trial program, people may visit the Web site, www.hawaiifriends.org, and click on the “Mock Trial” link.
