Schools
Court is in Session During Mock Trial for Park Jr. High Students
District 102 Seventh Graders Participate in Mock Trial Learning Experience on Feb. 16th
There were no objections when students in Osena Kuehnle’s Humanities Connections I classes at Park Junior High School in La Grange Park were given the opportunity to participate in a Mock Murder Trial based on William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. The mock trial program gives students a first-hand glimpse into the legal profession. On Feb. 16, seventh graders traveled down to the Dirksen Federal Building in Chicago where they took on the roles of attorneys and witnesses, and using the book, they formulated their arguments.
Seventy-five students in Kuehnle’s classes took part in the learning experience, hosted by Judge Susan Cox for the ninth year. Judge Cox and Attorney Kate Kelly presided over the mock trial.
“The whole mock trial experience was so realistic and beneficial,” said Dorrie Peters. “It really inspired me to look more into what a life in law would be."
Find out what's happening in La Grangefor free with the latest updates from Patch.
A Q&A session was held after the trial and students heard from Attorney Chip Mullaney, Kimberly Seymour from the Federal Defender Program, and Officers Kevin Case and Joe Christians from the Palatine Police Department with canines Hondo and Puma. The judges also gave the students feedback and answered questions.
Photo Caption 1: Park Junior High School students as jury members (left to right) Chris Franko, Lucas Ryan, Finn Buckley, Jeffrey Hajny, Connor Stenson, Sean Gripp, Jaylen Guzman, Ellie Capraro, Bridget Hayes, Cooper Anderson, Elise Moore, and Nolan Lewis.
Photo Caption 2: Park Junior High School student Graham Sackley questioning a witness.
Photo Caption 3: Nate Spratford questions witness Kamryn Lee-Caracci during the mock trial.
