St Rose Students Participate In Mock Trial

By Susan Coney

Middle school students from St Rose recently participated in a mock trial experience sponsored by the Connecticut Consortium for Law and Citizenship Education, Inc, a private, nonprofit association that promotes and conducts law related education programs and projects in Connecticut’s public and private schools, courtrooms, and communities. The group’s goal is the incorporation of citizenship education in to the curriculum of all schools from kindergarten through high school.

Several middle school students from St Rose participated in two recent mock trials; the first was held at a school in Bethel in which St Rose students won their case. From there the students advanced to the quarterfinals on Saturday, January 7, competing at the Middletown Superior Courthouse against the following area schools: St Mary, St Joseph, Our Lady of Mercy, Worthington Hooker, John Winthrop, and King Phillip.

The students were coached by attorney and St Rose parent Tom Davis. This is the fifth year Mr Davis has devoted his time to helping the St Rose students prepare for the mock trial. He said that all of the students involved were well prepared. Mr Davis stated that Josh Jowdy, an eighth grade student, was quite a pro at being a lawyer. Josh’s dad is an attorney and Josh has participated in the mock trial workshop every year since entering the middle school. Josh trained all summer in anticipation of his chance to appear in court.

Mr Davis said that more than 30 students signed up in September to be part of the trial experience and that the excitement built as they advanced to the quarterfinals. “It is incredible how good they get. I almost think if they had a basic case in a real courtroom, many of these students could try it,” Mr Davis stated. He said that participating in the mock trial workshops provides the students with invaluable experience and the opportunity to see what it is like to appear in an authentic courtroom. He stated that the time involved in preparing for the workshop is quite extensive and that the students are very dedicated, training frequently, which cuts into other extracurricular activities. Mr Davis’s son Greg, who is a seventh grader, also enjoyed participating in the courtroom experience.

Although the students spent hours preparing for their day in court they lost their case at the quarterfinals, but had a wonderful experience according to several who attended. Sixth grader Jessica Jowdy said, “I just liked being involved in the whole thing. My brother, Josh, did it last year and he had such a good time that I wanted to do it too. I just liked being a lawyer and learning about the process. It was a great experience.”