Life

'All-Star Mockers' keynote bar association dinner

Jerry Smith Jr., executive director of North Carolina Mock Trial program, poses with mock trial team members Hilton Swing, Rose Henderson, Mary Shelton and Brock Hill and Paul Newby, chief justice of the N.C. Supreme Court. [CONTRIBUTED]

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 6, 2024

While their peers spent Halloween wearing costumes or giving out candy, four mock trial teammates from Hendersonville High School were traveling to Raleigh to speak in front of the North Carolina Bar Association.

For the annual the association’s annual dinner, newly inducted Bar President Matthew W. Smith made a specific request to have active North Carolina Mock Trial students speak during the induction dinner.

As an extracurricular activity, mock trial students take on the roles of prosecutors, defense attorneys and witnesses to argue a fictional, complex case created by the mock trial program. The experience often serves as an early introduction to law for high school students and teaches participants basics of the legal system.

Jerry Smith Jr., the former mock trial coach at HHS who is now executive director of North Carolina Mock Trial program, made sure the incoming bar president got his wish. Smith invited four of his “All-Star Mockers,” as he calls them, to be keynote speakers at the event.

Mary Shelton, who spoke first, outlined what a mock trial season entails.

“From the months of September to March, mock trial is in full swing,” she said. “This team takes a lot of commitment.”

Brock Hill and Hilton Swing followed, delivering the closing arguments from a 2023 trial case.

Concluding the high school seniors’ presentation, Rose Henderson described the impact mock trial involvement has on participants.

“Mock trial will continue to serve us in the future with the skills we’ve had the opportunity to learn,” she said. “Such as, how to stay calm in high-stress scenarios. It’s a brilliant feeling when you can maintain composure under pressure, but maintaining composure is only possible with experience, and mock trial has given us that experience.”

The students’ public speaking earned them a standing ovation from the lawyers and guests and praise from many in the audience.

“Mary, Hilton, Rose and Brock performed one of the greatest performances I have ever seen from high school students in my 26 years of teaching,” Jerry Smith said. “I was honored to be with them.”

Rose, Hilton, Brock and Mary, who will compete in the Regional Mock Trial competition this upcoming February, say they’re excited to see how the unique program will continue to open doors for them as they head to college.