Mock Trial

usic teacher Geoffrey Fontaine M started the Mock Trial elective for Junior High ten years ago and has been teaching it ever since. When asked why the program is beneficial for young minds he said, “It helps refine their critical thinking skills, their public speaking skills and their teamwork skills. You can’t fake Mock Trial, you have to really know what you’re doing.” It’s important to note that once the competition starts, all advisors go to the back of the courtroom, so the students are entirely on their own. It’s clear that BHS does an excellent job preparing students - during the ten years that there has been a Mock Trial team, six students have received the prestigious “Best in LA” annual award.

The Mock Trial team meets as a class to develop their case and practice what they’ll do in competition. For these competitions, all participating teams are faced with the same case and must present both the prosecution and the defense for the case. Under the guidance of a faculty advisor and a lawyer coach, the students develop their case through careful reasoning and collaboration with their teammates. They then have the opportunity to present their cases in a real courtroom. According to Mr. Fontaine, “the judges are very good about explaining things, they’re really encouraging, and they often say that Mock Trial is what got them started in their law careers.”

Many Berkeley Hall graduates have benefited from their experience in Mock Trial, moving on to mediation teams in college, and even law school. After discovering there was no longer a Mock Trial team in his high school, HarvardWestlake, Grant Pécheck, BHS Class of 2011, searched for a way to organize one. He used his powers of persuasion, convincing a faculty member to be the advisor. Grant reassured the teacher that he wouldn’t have to do much heavy lifting. When the teacher agreed, Grant did all of the organizational work himself and drummed up students to participate. Grant’s hard work paid off, and his Mock Trial team went to the state final.

Grant recently graduated from Davidson College with a BA in Political Science. He is currently working with Teach For America/Americorps. In the Fall of 2021, he will start Law School at UCLA.

The Difference Makers Series focus this past year was homelessness. Our community attended three assemblies featuring different organizations that specifically address this issue in Los Angeles. The first assembly gave an overview of the issue with the help of Natalia Torregrosa from LA Family Housing, Carla Hall from the LA Times, and Emily Martiniuk - a formerly homeless woman who now lives in permanent supportive housing.

Staff members from Hope of the Valley spoke to us during the second assembly. Their mission is to attract people and resources to assist in their efforts to meet the needs of every hungry and homeless person in Los Angeles.

During our third and final Difference Makers assembly, we heard from Food on Foot, a nonprofit organization dedicated to assisting the poor and homeless of Los Angeles. They offer programs that provide nutritious meals, clothing, work opportunities and, ultimately, the ability to transition to full-time employment and life off the streets.