Mock Trial Team Breaks Alabama Records at Nationals

An Indian Springs School Mock Trial team placed in the top third—14th out of 47 teams—and senior Davis Tyler-Dudley ’17 was named 6th best attorney at the 2017 National High School Mock Trial Championships held May 11-13 in Hartford, Conn.

 

The team ranking is the highest achieved by any Alabama team in the history of the national competition, which began in 1984. The individual distinction is also the highest best attorney ranking ever awarded to an Alabama competitor.

 

This is the first time that an Indian Springs team has taken part in the highly competitive championships, which also included three international teams. The team, made up of Max Klapow ’17, Davis Tyler-Dudley ’17, Matthew Lash ’17, Taylor Hinch ’17, Liz Jones ’18, Bela Patel ’18, Jordyn Hudson ’21, and Ethan Howell ’21, is one of five mock trial teams at Indian Springs.

 

Several of these students were on the team that won first place at the Alabama YMCA Youth Judicial Competitions in 2015 and 2016 and second place in 2014. These placements qualified them to compete at the national level, with the second place Alabama state winner invited to the YMCA National Judicial Competition and the first place winner invited to the National High School Mock Trial Championships.

 

Due to scheduling conflicts, Indian Springs’ team opted to attend the YMCA National Judicial Competition in 2016 but was able to compete this year at the National High School Mock Trial Championships.

 

“I’m so proud of this team and all of our students who participate in Mock Trial,” says Indian Springs School Head of School Dr. Sharon Howell. “Unlike mock trial programs at other schools where students train daily through classes and curricula, mock trial at Indian Springs is a student-run initiative: Students train with and mentor one another. They are truly passionate about their work together, and I am delighted to see their commitment and skills recognized on a national level.”

 

Indian Springs’ Mock Trial participants train several hours each week after school as part of the school’s student-led Mock Trial Club. The teams are supported through funding from the Ray Hartwell ’65 Mock Trial Team Endowment.