By Emma Sonneborn and Molly McCaffrey

At the start of the 2020-2021 school year, many clubs started to form in order to have some normalcy in a year of craziness. One of these clubs was the Mock Trial Club. The advisor of the club is Ms. Feder and it is run by Emma Sonneborn and Molly McCaffrey. Their mission is to bring students together to work as a collective group in analyzing, and enacting American Law. Students will learn how to present thorough and researched arguments as well as writing and public speaking skills. In this club, students all across Pennsylvania are given a case written by the Mock Trial Bar. They then prepare an argument for both sides of the case and compete against other schools arguing for their designated side. Rush will compete in its first Mock Trial competition this Wednesday, February 2nd.

When asked what made her interested in creating a Mock Trial Club, Molly McCaffrey stated, “Olivia Benson [from Law and Order: Special Victims Unit] was an inspiration. In all seriousness though, I was considering what I wanted to do in the future, I was looking at career choices in the law field. This along with doing lots of research on our justice system made me want to spread the enjoyment I had for this to others.” 

When asked what makes this club fun for you, Emma Sonneborn said, “In this club, along with the work that comes with it, you practically get to put on a show. You are embodying characters and acting out their thoughts, feelings, and opinions which makes it really fun for someone like me who is into acting.”

Mock Trial Club takes place on Tuesdays after school and most Thursdays and Fridays during advisory in Ms. Feder’s room (251). We encourage you to come and take part in this opportunity to learn about how the legal system works and how to execute it in the position of a lawyer. You never know what you could learn!