The High School Mock Trial Competition is an annual event sponsored by the Tennessee Bar Association/Young Lawyer Division. Students from across the state compete as they assume the roles of attorneys and witnesses in a model case. Student prosecution and defense teams battle to win a favorable a verdict by staging a virtual trial that includes opening and closing statements, direct and cross examinations of student witnesses, and the introduction and use of exhibits. Area judges and lawyers act as the jury and award points for the testimony of student witnesses and for the legal skills and courtroom demeanor of student attorneys.

From the beginning of the 2007-2008 school year, the Springfield High Mock Trial Team had one goal in mind: to return to the State High School Mock Trial Competition. “Going to State last year was a great experience,” said Taylor Odle, a team attorney who also competed on last year’s state-qualifying team. “We all wanted to win the District again and return to State.”

The SHS Team achieved their goal, placing 11th in the State Competition held in Nashville on March 14-15. The team brought home an individual honor as well: defense attorney Suzanne Carr was named a State MVP for her knowledge of legal procedure and effectiveness in the courtroom. A junior at SHS, Carr also served as an attorney on the school’s 2007 Mock Trial Team. “It was an honor to win the MVP award, but just making it to State two years in a row was even more exciting,” said Carr. “We’re already talking about going back next year.”

At the Eastern District competition on February 8-9, the Springfield High team defeated Gallatin to earn the title of Outstanding High School Mock Trial Team, and two SHS students were singled out for individual awards. Returning 2007 team member Rachel Hannabass was named Outstanding Plaintiff Attorney Runner-Up, and Nathan Friend earned honors as the Outstanding Plaintiff Witness Runner-Up. “The District competition was especially tough,” commented Hannabass. “There were so many high-scoring teams, and we knew we had to earn high marks in every round.”

Following their District win, the SHS team bested Western District champions Clarksville High on February 20 to earn a berth in the State Tournament and bring home regional-level individual awards. Alexander Carsner, who competed on the 2007 team as a witness, was named the Outstanding Plaintiff Attorney, and Nathan Friend again won honors by taking the Outstanding Plaintiff Witness award. “As this was my first year to serve as an attorney, I was really honored to win an award,” said Carsner, “but qualifying for State again meant even more to me.”

The 2008 Springfield High School Mock Trial Team includes plaintiff attorneys Alexander Carsner, Rachel Hannabass, and James Kellar. Plaintiff witnesses are Nathan Friend as an eyewitness, Nichole Holloway as the plaintiff, and Kelsey Jones as an expert in accident reconstruction.

At bar as defense attorneys are Suzanne Carr, James Kellar, and Taylor Odle. Defense witnesses are Charmelle Gardner as a medical doctor, Joseph Hasty as a police officer, and Tyler Moore as the defendant.