Local high school students learn courtroom skills

Gianna Panzarino- Mustangs Ahead

(LAKEWOOD RANCH, FL)- Lakewood Ranch High School (LRHS) Advanced Placement (AP) language and composition students have had the opportunity to explore the courtroom.

Over the past two weeks AP language students participated in a mock heart transplant trial.

The class was split into six attorney groups and one judge group with each attorney group getting two sentences about their client. It was an interesting new experience for all involved.

But this isn't the first time the court has adjourned. AP language teacher Debra McCarthy said,

“The mock trial has been a part of the class since day one of teaching AP Language.”

While the mock trial may seem like it's all about law this activity is so much more than that.

This activity was a highlight for many students. McCarthy said, “My favorite part of the trial is witnessing how passionate students become about their candidates and how the project takes a life of its own.”

McCarthy elaborated, “The student-led project is a fun way to teach students about the importance of establishing coherent and linear arguments, so ideas are organized, supported, and developed.”

The mock trial has also helped students develop skills both in and out of the classroom.

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LRHS junior Shriya Balu said, “This mock trial really taught me how to better collaborate with my peers and construct a logical argument with evidence. This was helpful as AP lang requires this level of logical thinking and time management. I especially enjoyed the added suspense associated with who would be eliminated each round.”

Junior Pedro De Souza Neto elaborated, “The mock trial was a group effort for everyone, especially the judges. Working with my group on such a big assignment helped me realize how important some things are in a group project, such as proper communication. I hope to use these skills in my future careers.”

Junior Ryan Hamilton added, “I learned to be more critical in my judgement of similar arguments and conflicting evidence.”