Chautauqua County Mock Trial Team Excited for First Trip to Semifinals in Albany
5.22.2023
They may be small in population, but the community of Frewsburg, Chautauqua County, is fierce in its support of its high school mock trial team heading to the statewide tournament. The team is determined not to be underestimated.
Team member Erich Thompson says while the school is small and the team only has 12 members and fewer resources than larger districts, it is not a disadvantage. “We’ve been building up to have a pretty successful team for a while,” said senior Jacob Sears. “We’ve had an undefeated season. “
Sears is one of the few team members who competed in person as a freshman in 2020 before the pandemic. “The thrill of the courtroom [this year] is way better than sitting on Zoom. Being in person is a completely different ball game,” he says.
Several members of the team also take a law and government class taught by their mock trial faculty adviser Thomas Nelson. The students say the integrated approach allows them to study mock trial as a part of their coursework. It also encourages other students to join the team.
Nelson says the spirit of the community and the memory of native son U.S. Supreme Court Justice Robert H. Jackson are a point of pride for the team.
Senior Jacob Sears agrees, “We do what we can with what we have and that’s been enough to get us to the state tournament.”
