PEP's Mock Trial Team Finishes Second in County

On Nov. 29, Poly Extended Program (PEP)'s Mock Trial team won their semi-final case, advancing the inaugural group to the finals and becoming one of the top two teams in Los Angeles County. Mock Trial is a program put on by Teach Democracy (formerly the Constitutional Rights Foundation) for students to learn through participation. Led by parent coach and Judge Darrell Mavis, the team has been meeting since September in order to learn the case, rules of evidence, courtroom procedure, and argument methodology. In addition to the legal team, students take on roles as witnesses, bailiffs, artists, and journalists working the court beat. 

On Dec. 4 in the Stanley Mosk Courthouse, the team took second place overall in the county competition. A remarkable feat for any team made historic by the fact that this is Poly's very first year competing in Mock Trial. The team lost only one round in the entire competition (the final round) to beat 40 other schools, many of which had years of experience. In a surprise announcement, Judge Darrell Mavis also received the Mock Trial Coach of the Year Award!

“The amount of work and effort our kids put in has been incredible,” said PEP Director Kevin Austin. “It really showcases how strong our students are and, when given the opportunity, how quickly they can rise to the challenge.”

At the awards ceremony, Tilda L. ’28 was named Outstanding Witness for her roleplay of K.C. Vasquez, and Riley Y. ’30 received second place in the Courtroom Journalist Contest. Without Judge Mavis' dedication and leadership, Poly's mock trial team would never have gotten off the ground, much less achieved the recognition that it did according to student participants.