On Tuesday evening, March 6, in the Bell Courtroom at the OU College of Law, a particularly impressive performance occurred between two competitive teams with the winner being determined in court, rather than on the court. The Oklahoma High School Mock Trial 2018 Finals was won by Owasso, after defeating Owasso. For the first time in competition history, the final two teams were from the same school. Owasso’s Audrey Cantrell team prevailed and will represent the state of Oklahoma at the National High School Mock Trial Competition this May in Reno, Nevada.

The competition this year involved more than 40 teams from across the entire state. The fact that Owasso High School had two teams in the finals is a testament to the level of skill possessed by those student-competitors and the level of dedication from their teachers, attorney-coaches, parents and other volunteers associated with the team. This program would not function without the work of many volunteers. Over 400 judges and attorneys donate time to work with mock trial teams directly, to score and judge the teams throughout the competition and as members of the Mock Trial Committee, to plan, prepare, write, conduct and oversee the competition. Personally, I want to thank the hundreds of volunteers who help with the mock trial competition each and every year.

Presiding judge for the final round was Retired Judge Edward Cunningham. Scoring panelists were Justice Patrick Wyrick, a former high school mock trial competitor, Judge Sarah Hall, Judge David Lewis, Judge Jequita Napoli and Judge Shon Erwin. Each of the scoring panelists is a current sitting judge and the panel, collectively, possesses decades of experience and involvement with the mock trial program. Very few practicing attorneys will ever face a judicial panel of such experience and skill. The fact that high school students stood before this group of jurists and delivered their performances exemplifies how the life-long skills and talents attained through mock trial competition can be developed relatively early in life.

In Justice Wyrick’s own words, “The mock trial program made an enormous impact on me as a high school student, so it was especially rewarding to me to get to serve as a judge and see a new generation of students in action.”

I want to extend my sincere appreciation to the entire panel and the presiding judge for their work this year.

As with most competitions, the competitors are the primary focus, and this program was no different. The students involved in this competition were impressive. The professionalism displayed at all levels of the program, culminating at the finals, was on par with what we see from the best practicing attorneys throughout the courtrooms of our state. At times, those of us not directly involved with the students have to remind ourselves that these competitors have not yet taken a first-year law school class, or even a freshman-level undergraduate class! The attorneys in this case, looked, sounded and acted like seasoned litigators. Objections were raised and argued, with specific citations to rules of evidence, with professional accuracy.

The opening and closing arguments were presented with clear and persuasive narration. The witnesses delivered testimony better than many people who take the witness stand at trial. The ability to effectively respond to cross-examination can often be the tipping point between a particular witness being believed or not. The students that portrayed witnesses in the finals were some of the best to take the witness chair.

Even though this March competition did not involve any buzzer-beating half-court shots, there was plenty of in-court drama as the competitors sought the win after weeks of competition and months of preparation. The state of Oklahoma will be represented quite well by the students from Owasso Audrey Cantrell. Their portrayals of professional litigators and witnesses were effective, persuasive and compelling. Thank you to the Owasso High School Audrey Cantrell team, teachers, coaches, parents and volunteers. You represent the best of our state, and I look forward to your competition at nationals.

Finally, this competition could not exist without significant help from the Oklahoma Bar Foundation. The foundation has been a steadfast supporter since day one and the entire High School Mock Trial Program is supported by funds received from the Oklahoma Bar Foundation. I thank the Oklahoma Bar Foundation, and its members across this state, for their support of a program that unquestionably benefits so many people in our community. All former mock trial competitors know the value of the program first-hand. Whether your professional path included law or not, the skills and talents developed from participation provide a lifetime of benefit. To every mock trial competitor, past, present and future, your involvement makes this program the best it can be. Sincerely, thank you.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Kevin Cunningham practices in Mustang and serves as chairperson for the Oklahoma High School Mock Trial Committee.

TRIAL SITE COORDINATORS
Andrew Casey	Anne Mize
Deresa Clark	Todd Murray
Dustin Compton	Michael Nesser
Dan Couch	Melissa Peros
Kevin Cunningham	Nathan Richter
Lydia Fields	Susie Summers
Dillon Langley	Chris Szlichta
Patrick Layden	Leah Terrill-Nessmith
April McClure	Carolyn Thompson
Andrea Medley	Kathryn Walker

 

ATTORNEY COACHES
Ranada Adams	Chris Jones
Clifton Baker	Judge Douglas Kirkley
Eli Bland	Nicole Longwell
Judge James Bland	Blake Lynch
Judge Daman Cantrell	Tom Maxcey
Eric Cavett	Brian McLaughlin
Stephana Colbert	Judge Tim Mills
Angie Dean	Anthony Moore
Chance Deaton	Rob Neal
Judge Deirdre Dexter	Ellen Quinton
Eddie Forarer	Rob Ridenour
Valery Giebel	Adam Scharn
Randy Gill	Judge Matt Sheets
Eric Grantham	Desmond Sides
Celo Harrel	David Smith
Terry Harrison	Connie Smothermon
Clint Hastings	Richard Smothermon
Clifford Heckert	Bob Speed
Shane Henry	Frank Stout
William Hickman	Laura A. Thomas
Andrew Hofland	Carolyn Thompson
Mike Horn	Ken Underwood
Michon Hughes	Kyle Wasson
Linda Jaha	Judge Jill Weedon
Aaron Johnson

 

VOLUNTEER PRESIDING JUDGES AND SCORING PANELISTS
Patrick Abitbol**	Stephen Haynes	Ted Pepper
Stacy Acord	Rick Henthorn	David Poarch
Kim Adams	Judge Hess	Carolyn Pomberg
Emma Arnett	Kurt Hoffman**	Sonja Porter
Kara Bacon	Madison Holder	Paiten Qualls
B.J. Baker	Chad Horsha	Jasmin Redd
Matthew Ballard	Craig Hoster	Rob Redwine
Luke Barteaux	Trevor Hughes	Ryan Reeves*
Susan Beaty	Judge Lori Jackson	Greg Reilly
Kristina Bell	Dalinda Jeffers	Maxey Reilly*
Andrew Benedict	Jo Lynn Jetter	Dale Rex
Lewis Berkowitz	Brittney Jewett	Jacqueline Rhodes**
Lou Berkowitz	Erik Johnson	Greg Riley
Howard Berkson****	Courtney Jordan	Alison Roberts
Brandon Bidde	Reign Karpe	Thomas Robertson*
Larry Biddolph	David Keglovits	Charles Rogers
Kelly Bishop*	William Kellough	Jacob Rowe
Jack Bowyer	Deanna Kelso	Hilary Sadhoo
Ruseal Brewer	Jennifer Kerns	Teri Sahs
Elisabeth Brown	Kaye Kirk	Jenny Sanbrano*
Libby Brown	Lita Kirk	Mark Schwebke*****
Alyssa Campbell	Lindsay Kistler	Gessica Sewell
Abby Carmine	Rick Knighton	Randall Sewell
Dietmar Caudle	Julie Landes	Micah Sexton
Jason Christopher**	Kent Larason	Matt Sheets
Jack Coppedge***	Trent Lauridson	Shelby Shelton
Michael Coulson	Niki Lindsey	Chelsea Shields***
John Cramer	Grant Lloyd	Chris Shields
Kymberly Cravatt	Rand Long	Carmelita Shinn
Dan Crawford****	Randy Long	Judge Steven Shreder
Judge Ed Cunningham****	Mark Lyons	Kim Slinkard
Erin Dailey	Robert Margo	Angela Smith
Chance Deaton	Amber Masters	Jared Smith
Michael Denton	Kevyn Mattax*	Karen Smith
Mike Dial	J. W. McBee*	Rusty Smith
Charles Dickson	April McClure	Toni Smith
Monica Dionisio	Shelly McCorkle	Jeanne Snider
Susan Dobbins*	Kassie McCoy	Beth Stanley
Joshua Edwards	Hilary McKinney	Luke Stephens
Tony Edwards	Paige McLaughlin	Joshua Stockton
Kathleen Egan	Evan McLemore	Orion Strand**
Judge Shon Erwin***	Andrew McMahon	Jim Stuart
Greg Farrar***	Law McMeans*	Chuck Sullivan
Rachel Farrar	Jan Meadows	Thomas Swafford II
Alayna Farris	Julia Metry	Brian Swenson***
Rodney Ferguson	Paul Middleton	Scott Thomas
Craig Fitzgerald	Jennifer Miller	Carolyn Thompson*
Marna Franklin	Mike Miller	Joe Trail*
Matt Frisby	Sam Miller	Renee Troxell
Mykel Fry	Tony Morales	Roy Tucker
Ryan Fulda	Scott Mosteller	Scott Tully
Mitchell Garrett	Michael Mullins*	Jonathan Udoka
Debra Gee	Judge Jequita Napoli	Georgina Van Tuyl**
Rachel Gessouroun	Drew Neville	Laina Vaughn
Amy Gioletti	Brenda Nipp	Kyle Vazquez
Jason Glidewell	Tahlina Nofire	Jon Vittitow
Scott Goode	Paul Northcutt	Keith Ward
Stephen Gray**	Brandi Nowakowski	Laura Wardrip
Mark Graziano	Katie Ogden	Mark Warman****
David Guten****	L. Earl Ogletree	Richard Warzynski
Deb Hackler	Ivan Orndorff Jr.***	Weston Watts
Matthew Haire	Jessica Ortiz	Sabre Weathers
Alex Handley***	Jenna Owens	Zack West
Keenan Haught	Matt Patterson	Matthew Wheatley
Rick Hawthorn	Kathleen Pence*	Ed White
	Michael Wilson	Alex Wilson