Kalamazoo Central Mock Trial Team qualifies for State Competition

Kalamazoo Central High School’s mock trial team placed second on Saturday at a regional competition in Grand Rapids, making it one of 10 teams to compete in the state tournament on March 24.

Central’s mock trial team has won 17 state titles since the team’s formation in 1986. They were state champions in 2009, won the national championship in 1996 and placed second in the nation for three consecutive years in 2006-08.

This year’s team members are seniors Sharnjit Sohi and Keeley Davenport, juniors Jane Fisher and Sabrina Hirsch, sophomores Amanda Sidwell and Olivia Hodge, and freshmen Isaac Bertman, Sarah Ghazal and Katherine McKibban.

Lead coach is Francis Bilancio. He is assisted by attorneys Kurt McCamman and James L. Liggins Jr. of Miller Canfield, Paddock, & Stone; Randall Levine of Levine and Levine, and Becket J. Jones of Hills Law Office.

The Michigan High School Mock Trial Tournament is organized and conducted by the Michigan Center for Civic Education. The MCCE designed the program to reenact much of what might take place in trial courts. High school students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses and compete against other schools in real courtrooms in front of real judges and lawyers. But while the students take on roles, there is no set script. As in a debate, participants must adjust to the strategies employed by the opposing side.

The state champions will compete in the National Mock Trial Championship in Albuquerque, N.M. from May 10-13.

Published:Kalamazoo News, March 12, 2012

By : Julie Mack

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