Morton High School sophomores Isabella Palermo, left and Jeremiah Kiest, freshman Nick Heck-Kerrigan, and sophomore Haylee Harris sit at the defense table during a mock trial exercise Monday evening at Lewis County Superior Court. Sophomores Marissa Rivas and Nichole Kim are in the background.
Morton High School freshmen Caleb Wright and Jacob Winkler sit at the prosecution table during a mock trial exercise Monday evening in Lewis County Superior Court, while attorney Peter Abbarno watches from the gallery.
Peter Abbarno speaks with Superior Court Judge Joely O'Rourke to the Morton High School mock trial team Monday afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court.
Morton High School sophomores Isabella Palermo, left and Jeremiah Kiest, freshman Nick Heck-Kerrigan, and sophomore Haylee Harris sit at the defense table during a mock trial exercise Monday evening at Lewis County Superior Court.
Cheyenne Lewis sits at the witness stand Monday afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court while practicing with the Morton High School mock trial team.
Kannon Fuller sits at the witness stand and testifies in Lewis County Superior Court Monday as part of a practice for the Morton High School mock trial team.
Morton High School teacher and mock trial team adviser Amanda West gives direction to her students Monday afternoon as they practice in Lewis County Superior Court.
Morton High School teacher and mock trial team adviser Amanda West listens to her students Monday afternoon as they practice in Lewis County Superior Court.
Superior Court Judge Joely O'Rourke, right, speaks with attorney Peter Abbarno, left, to students in the Morton High School mock trial team Monday afternoon in Lewis County Superior Court.
The trials they conduct may be fictional, but Morton High School’s mock trial team practiced their arguments in a real courtroom — under the supervision of a very real judge.
On Wednesday afternoon, when court was out of session for the day, the entire team took over a courtroom in Lewis County Superior Court to work on their case in a realistic setting.
Centralia attorney Peter Abbarno regularly volunteers with the group and helped facilitate the afternoon. Superior Court judges Andrew Toynbee and Joely O’Rourke both took time to meet with the students.
“I have to say, I’m really impressed ninth and 10th graders are in mock trial,” O’Rourke said. “You guys are going to go far.”
The team is made up of 11 students — all freshmen and sophomores — from Morton High School and is led by teacher Amanda West.
The team competes in Vancouver because they’re the only mock trial team in Lewis County and are part of the YMCA Youth in Government program.
Each school year, the team is assigned one case to argue, culminating with a competition regionally, and if they do well, on a state level. This year, they’re conducting a trial on identity theft. Abbarno said the teams are usually assigned criminal or civil cases on alternating years.
Each student had a role to play, including lead roles — attorneys for the defense and prosecution — or supporting roles, such as witnesses.
West thanked Abbarno, O’Rourke and Toynbee for taking the time with the students and allowing them access to the courthouse.
“It went really well,” West said. “I was kind of hoping, and I think it served its purpose, that yesterday would be an opportunity for them to get their nerves out.”
The subject matter is highly technical and realistic to a real courtroom setting. The students develop a script to adhere to in competition and must keep their arguments within the confines of legal rules. For example, if an attorney’s question leads a witness, or asks for hearsay testimony, they will be subject to an objection and a ruling from a judge.
“The reality of court (is) it’s theatrical,” Abbarno said.
Participation in the team both teaches students how the law and justice system works and could inspire a student to pursue a career related to the justice system, he said. It also teaches them to work together, and Abbarno said he can see it improve the students’ confidence throughout the year.
Lewis County Commissioner Gary Stamper, who represents east Lewis County, attended a portion of the practice.
“I’m … proud of Amanda (West) exposing our students (to this),” he said.
Stamper is a retired teacher and principal.
“I taught political science many years ago in my time in public education and I thought it was really important,” he said.
Before they started, O’Rourke gave the students advice about getting up in public and speaking. While it might not come easily to all of them, she said, with effort and practice, they could get over it just like she did.
“I faked it to make it,” she said.
