A team of Indian Springs School students placed third in the nation—for the second year in a row—at the 2016 YMCA National Judicial Competition (NJC) held Aug. 2-5 in Chicago.
Competing against 21 other teams from across the country, Davis Tyler-Dudley ’17, Liz Jones ’18, Max Klapow ’17, Taylor Hinch ’17, Chandler Pulliam ’17, and Matthew Lash ‘17 shone as they argued in two plaintiff and two defense trials. Individually, Tyler-Dudley was one of three students named Outstanding Attorney, Klapow received an Honorable Mention for Outstanding Attorney, and Jones was one of two competitors honored as Outstanding Witness.
“These students worked incredibly hard in the weeks and days leading up to the competition, and even every night during the competition,” says volunteer mock trial coach Carole Mazer, a clinical psychologist and alumni parent who works with the group during the school year. “They constantly pushed themselves to reach the next level. For example, this is the first year all of them did every trial completely without notes. One judge told us that he had never seen that, even at the college and professional levels. I am so proud of these amazing students and the dedication, integrity, and professionalism they bring to the competition.”
The team advanced to the YMCA NJC after being named the No. 1 defense team and best overall team in the state at the 2015 Alabama YMCA Youth Judicial Program. Three other mock trial teams from Indian Springs School also placed in the top 20 at the statewide conference.
“I believe that the key to this team’s success is their ability to think on their feet, to be innovative in their approach, and to see and make use of multiple angles and approaches during a trial,” says faculty advisor D’Anthony Allen. “They also listen extremely well to the other team’s answers and responses. Other teams have commented on their courtroom etiquette and decorum, which are an important component.”
The team trains several hours each week after school as part of Springs’ student-run, extra-curricular Mock Trial Club. They compete regularly against students who prepare daily through their schools’ mock trial classes and curricula.
"We are incredibly excited to perform this well, especially as a relatively young team and the only team in Springs history to do this two years in a row at a national competition,” says Klapow, who serves as team captain. “We care so much about what we’re doing and what it means to be a legal advocate, witness, and attorney. I attribute our success to our dedication and preparation both individually and together as a team.”
“The competition was actually harder this year because the skill of the teams we were competing against was higher,” says Tyler-Dudley. “One of our team members, Marc Straus ’16, was also not able to come; Matthew Lash ’17 filled in for him, putting in all this work and preparation, and he did a fantastic job.”
“There is so much value in a program like mock trial that helps students think on their feet, listen carefully to others, and work together as a team,” says Head of School Dr. Sharon Howell. “It's wonderful to see our team doing all of these things at such a high level.”