Last year’s Wildcat Mock Trial team made it to regionals, but this year’s team has loftier goals – earning a spot in the state competition. To prepare, they’ve enrolled in a national tournament in San Francisco October 5-9th, and they’ve recruited bright new students to join the team.
Now, they could use some help.
The team is hosting an event tonight/Tuesday at Shady’s to thank their sponsors and invite others to join their cause. Shady’s will kick back 10% of proceeds to the team, and there will be drawings every 30 minutes for gift cards and other prizes, including White Rock Coffee and treatments at Hiatus Spa.
“The students have been working very hard,” says Tracey Bishkin, AP teacher and co-sponsor of the team with LHHS’ new journalism and yearbook teacher Katie Spurgin. “They are a diverse group of students of all income ranges. Some can afford to go, but many cannot.”
The team, currently preparing a case involving the alleged wrongful death of a former prison inmate, is coached by attorney Kim Elkjer. Elkjer works with the students in small groups every evening and on weekends and coordinates scrimmages with other schools.
“Kim is a tireless advocate for these students, working with them on all aspects of their strategies and performances,” praises Bishkin. “She holds conferences on trial rules, objections, trial themes, opening and closing statements, and they practice direct and cross examinations every night. She is also working with the students portraying witnesses on their strategies.”
If you’d like to help, you may email Elkjer at kimelkjer@gmail.com.