ACS has formed a new Mock Trial Team that began practicing on November 30 and is preparing to compete in the Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition in February 2022. Any high school student can join and the team’s Teacher Coach, Rhapsody Hahn-Chaney, said there are still four open spots for students to serve as lawyers and witnesses. Robin Tolg, Esq. is serving as the Attorney Coach.
By playing the roles of witnesses and lawyers in mock trials, Hahn-Chaney said students will learn firsthand about the American system of justice by trying their cases before judges and attorneys. A team typically consists of 10 contestants plus alternates. The Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition is sponsored in cooperation with the New Jersey State Bar Association and New Jersey’s county bar associations.
Both Hahn-Chaney and Tolg have past experience participating in the New Jersey Mock Trial Competition. Hahn-Chaney participated as a witness and a lawyer as a member of the Crossway Home Learners Mock Trial Team from 2001-2003. Tolg, who is a practicing attorney in Linwood, served as the attorney coach for three years the last time ACS fielded a Mock Trial Team from 2003-2006. Hahn-Chaney has also reached out to Atlantic City Councilman Jesse Kurtz to support the ACS team and give insight in developing the case. Kurtz and Hahn-Chaney both competed together as high schoolers on the Crossway Home Learners Mock Trial Team.
“We’re excited to be fielding a team again and we’re looking forward to building a program that will continue into the future,” Hahn-Chaney said. “The experience of being on a Mock Trial Team gives students an edge in the areas of public speaking and critical thinking and also looks great on a resume.”
The ACS Mock Trial Team practices are on Tuesdays from 4-5 p.m. in the school library, on Wednesdays from 5-6 p.m. in the Computer Lab, and virtually on most Saturdays. The practice schedule is designed to coordinate with the basketball team practices enabling a student to participate in both activities. Hahn-Chaney also plans to offer a mock trial high school elective in January on Tuesdays and Thursdays to provide further practice time to prepare for the February competitions.
The dates of first two Mock Trial Competitions, which will be held virtually, are:
- Thursday, February 3 at 5:30 p.m. — ACS vs Mainland Regional
- Thursday, February 10 at 5:30 p.m. — ACS vs Egg Harbor Township
Please contact Hahn-Chaney for additional information and practice times at rhahn-chaney@acseht.org.