The Owatonna Mock Trial club has had a successful 2024-25 season filled with practice, competitions and hard work. The team has developed important skills like teamwork and public speaking by working on fake legal cases and presenting their arguments to a judge. Mock trial is a representation of how a real court hearing works. Students need to be able to think on their feet and use their critical thinking skills to analyze the legal issue presented to them.
This year has been an exciting new turn for the club as their new adviser Ms. Samantha Ashton is learning herself. Despite this change, the team has built a strong connection and worked hard for their success.
Over the past couple of months, students have been gathering material and evidence about a fictional murder case. The team competes with one round, whether on defense or prosecution. They go against other schools all over Minnesota. So far their record is 4-1, with their first loss being against Rochester Century a couple of weeks ago. However, after a great win at regionals, Ms. Ashton and the club captains junior Ayoub Farah and senior Erin Baker have led the team to state.
Ms. Ashton said, “Through all of the students’ vast knowledge of the activity, and just how smart and creative they are and just seeing them flourish in this has helped me understand it and find my own type of passion within mock trial.”
This club requires a deep commitment from all members, which has contributed to their success throughout the season.
Owatonna’s Mock Trial team consists of a small number of students, with the majority being underclassmen. However, this has not stopped them from staying persistent. Farah has been involved for three years and has seen significant improvement over this year, especially with the group’s ability to speak in front of others and work as a team.
Farah said, “A trial isn’t won by just one person. It takes six people working together, trusting each other and executing their roles effectively.”
The 2024-25 mock trial season is not over for Owatonna. The team is eager and excited about what is to come at their state competition on March 6 and 7.
