Education

Norcross High Mock Trial Team Prepares Students for Future Careers

Published

11 months ago

May 31, 2024

Mock trial isn't just for law students! This extracurricular activity teaches high school students valuable skills for their future careers.

Team sports often get all the glory for building character and life skills in young people, but despite popular belief, mock trials aren’t just for students who want to be lawyers.

“It’s the sport for the intellectuals that want to exercise their minds,” said Matt McGahren, head attorney coach of the Norcross High School Mock Trial team.

“I think what it does for these high school students is that it gives them not just speaking skills and logical reasoning skills but also a lot of self-confidence and self-esteem. It shows them the value of hard work. They exercise not just their mind but their creativity,” he explained.

Students thrive in mock trial

Along with attorney coach Skip Hudgins and teacher coach Harold Wright, youngsters are guided through mock cases to give them an authentic look into the legal system.

Those who play witnesses learn to be actors in a way. Regardless of the profession the students will pursue, the most valuable lesson is the art of persuasion.

“The advantages they have interviewing with employers later in life and interacting in the work environment, I just think it’s a phenomenal opportunity, and I think we want more people to know about it,” said McGahren.

The coaching has paid off. Norcross High School has gone to the state finals five years in a row.

“I think [students] can come in with a variety of different strengths, and then we just build the parts that aren’t there, as well as the motivation and the desire to do it,” said McGahren. “I come from a background of being too scared in high school to even get up and speak, and I wish I had pushed myself to overcome those fears. So, I think willingness is the best skill they need to have.”

Wright, a social science teacher at Norcross High School, agreed.

“Mock trial entails learning some researching because too often, especially now, they talk about false narratives and fake news and stuff like that where people just take information, pull it out of the sky, and act like it’s true,” he said.

The Georgia Mock Trial Competition

The competition is designed to increase students’ understanding of and appreciation for the law, court procedures and the legal system, according to sponsor State Bar of Georgia.

“They get a problem from the state and don’t really research the law, but they learn the rules of evidence,” said McGahren.

Preparing for the competition creates a family atmosphere because alums help the students, and it’s like a fraternal society.

The state bar’s mock trial committee prepares a problem for high school mock trials that contains a fact pattern and witness statements. It has legal authorities like case law for the competitors to refer to, and a narrative goes along with it.

Basic guidelines

“It will either be a civil case or a criminal case. And this year’s case was a criminal case. So the challenge was to figure out what’s going on in the problem, figure out who the characters are, and find out what the legal questions are,” said Wright. “The team has to represent both sides of the case, the prosecution, and the defense, and they develop a theory of what they think happened from their perspective.”

The teams work on developing the characters, starting with witness statements.

“We have not only great student attorneys, but we also have great witnesses,” said Wright. “We have a few months from October to January to prepare the case. We do scrimmages against other schools. Then there are three rounds of competition.”

He explained that there’s a regional competition, a district-level competition, and a state competition.

“Our team will be assigned either prosecution or defense for each round,” said Wright. “It’s like an unscripted simulation. They play the case out in court, and we often have actual judges for the rounds and attorneys who act as evaluators. They’re the jury.”

The students are rated on how well they do for their part and are also given a lot of constructive feedback. Sometimes, the cases are loosely based on actual problems or legal issues.

“There was one several years ago that was about the Castle Doctrine – the stand-your-ground laws,” said Wright. “But it’s not a specific case, but sometimes it’s maybe a legal concept that the kids might have heard about.”

Faux court, real results

Recent grad Elena Domenech has been in mock trial for three years and recommends it.

“I wholeheartedly believe it was the best decision that I ever made. I met some of my best friends, and I learned how to be confident in myself,” she said. “I wrote my college essays about mock trial and what it meant to me, and it has been an experience of joy, growth and positivity.”

She added that making it to the state semi-finals this year was an amazing feeling, especially considering how worried the team was coming into the competition.

“It all just goes to show how much hard work is worth. I am excited to try out for Georgia Tech’s mock trial team and am even more excited to take what I have learned with such an incredible team with me throughout the rest of my life,” she said.

Rising senior Yvonne Coleman has also been in mock trial for three years and had similar feelings.

“It is by far my favorite and most beneficial extracurricular I participate in,” she said. “This year, Norcross’ Mock Trial team qualified for the state semi-finals, winning every Outstanding Witness and Attorney Award at State Competition. I am beyond proud of my team’s success!”

She added that mock trial has improved her writing and speaking skills. It has also given her the confidence that one day she might argue a case before the U.S. Supreme Court or even become a Supreme Court Justice herself.

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Arlinda Smith Broady

Arlinda Smith Broady is part of the Boomerang Generation of Blacks that moved back to the South after their ancestors moved North. With approximately three decades of journalism experience (she doesn't look it), she's worked in tiny, minority-based newsrooms to major metropolitans. At every endeavor she brings professionalism, passion, pluck, and the desire to spread the news to the people.

Community

Simpson Elementary Marks Exceptional Children’s Week

Published

2 days ago

May 7, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Four women and one man standing in front of a colorful wall at an elementary school for Exceptional Children's Week

Simpson Elementary School celebrated Exceptional Children’s Week (ECW) last month with five days of special activities to recognize their special needs population and all of their exceptional students.

April 14–18 is set aside each year to celebrate children with disabilities, gifts and talents. This year’s ECW theme was Bridging Gaps and Building Futures, and the school was happy to take part.

They highlighted each day of the week on the morning news with fun facts about notable people in society — and throughout history — who have overcome challenges with their disabilities, including actor Daniel Radcliffe (who has lived with dyspraxia for his entire life), Tom Cruise, Whoopi Goldberg, Frida Kahlo and Helen Keller.

Simpson Elementary’s technology team also pre-recorded various special needs classes reciting the Pledge of Allegiance every day of the week.

Guest speaker

To end their ECW with a bang, they invited former Simpson Elementary parent, State Representative Scott Hilton, to come in and speak to their K-2 classes about raising his son, Chase (who is autistic and now a student at Norcross High School), and how being different is okay.

“Showing kindness and being inclusive is the best version of humanity,” said Dr. Taffeta Connery, Simpson Elementary School principal, in a statement about the event.

“Simpson Elementary has a special needs population of 214 (23%) of 946 students. [And] … we strive to ensure that our students are valued, recognized and instilled with high expectations for all.”

For more about Simpson Elementary, visit simpsones.gcpsk12.org.

Education

Paul Duke STEM High School Student Earns CGO Scholarship

Published

7 days ago

May 2, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

Senior portrait of a young white man wearing a black suit, white button up shirt and black bowtie. He has short brown hair parted in the middle, and he's smiling as he sits in front of a muted blue background.

Cobb Global Outreach Inc. (CGO Inc.), a non-profit organization dedicated to enhancing financial literacy and educational opportunities, recently awarded three scholarships to metro Atlanta high school seniors, including one to Paul Duke STEM student, Baylor M. Brown.

The scholarship initiative underscores CGO Inc.’s commitment to empowering youth through financial education and support.

According to CGO’s social media pages, these outstanding students have shown incredible dedication and resilience in their academic journeys. “We are proud to support their continued success and look forward to seeing all that they will achieve!”

Scholarship details and impact

The scholarships provided by CGO Inc. are designed to alleviate financial barriers and encourage academic excellence among students pursuing higher education. Each scholarship recipient will receive financial assistance to support their educational endeavors, along with resources to enhance their understanding of financial management and literacy.

The scholarship recipients have demonstrated remarkable potential and a strong commitment to making a positive impact in their local community and beyond.

Bobby Cobb, CEO and founder of Cobb Global Outreach Inc., expressed enthusiasm about the partnership, stating, “We are honored to support the students … . By investing in their education and financial literacy, we aim to equip them with the skills necessary for a successful and financially secure future.”

Looking ahead

Cobb Global Outreach Inc. remains committed to expanding its scholarship programs and financial literacy initiatives. The organization plans to collaborate with additional schools and community partners to further its mission of closing the wealth gap and fostering economic empowerment among youth.

About Cobb Global Outreach Inc.

Founded in January 2021, Cobb Global Outreach Inc. is dedicated to educating middle and high school students about financial literacy. The organization believes that providing students with tools and resources related to financial literacy will help narrow the wealth gap and promote economic empowerment.

For more information, visit cobbglobaloutreachinc.com.

Community

PCBA Announces 2025 Scholarship Winner

Published

1 week ago

April 30, 2025

Peachtree Corners Magazine staff

A group of people standing with a young Asian American high school senior. They are holding a large cardboard check made out for $1,000 as a scholarship for the teen.

The Peachtree Corners Business Association (PCBA) awarded local high school senior, Heidi Chung, a $1,000 scholarship during their April 24 Business After Hours event. Heidi and her family were presented with the scholarship and introduced to the organization’s members and guests at the monthly gathering.

Heidi was accepted by several colleges and has selected the University of Kentucky to continue her education, pursuing a degree in nursing. When asked what lessons she has learned from her experiences volunteering and serving in the community throughout her life, Heidi commented, “I have learned that true leadership is about service, taking initiative and persevering through challenges.”

A group of women from the PCBA standing with an Asian American high school girl and her parents. They are holding a large cardboard check made out for $1,000 for a scholarship for the teen. — Donna Linden, PCBA Board; Sam Chung; Heidi Chung, scholarship winner; Tenise Chung; Lisa Proctor, PCBA Board; and Allison Reinert, PCBA Board.

Scholarship Chair Donna Linden and Outreach Director Suzanna Martinez shared that the scholarship committee was impressed with Heidi’s many accomplishments, “whether she was organizing fundraisers, leading performance groups or helping athletes recover from injuries, Heidi demonstrated a positive impact on the community, as well as outstanding academic results.”

Funds for the PCBA Community Outreach Program are raised throughout the year from PCBA membership, sponsorship and an annual charity event. Donations and scholarships are awarded at PCBA’s monthly events so that members have the opportunity to learn more about the individuals and organizations.

A group of people from the PCBA standing with a young Asian American, female high school senior. They are presenting her with a scholarship for $1,000. — Allison Reinert, PCBA Board; Suzanna Martinez, PCBA Board; Donna Linden, PCBA Board; Heidi Chung, scholarship winner; Chris McDonald, PCBA Community Outreach; Lisa Proctor, PCBA Board; Toby Anderson, PCBA Board; and Audrey Boyce, PCBA Community Outreach.

“We are so proud that the PCBA has … awarded 20 scholarships to outstanding future business leaders and donated in excess of $173,000 into our metro Atlanta community over the last 13 years,” stated Lisa Proctor, PCBA board president.

About Peachtree Corners Business Association

“Where Businesses Come to Grow,” the Peachtree Corners Business Association is a business membership organization that focuses on innovative approaches, programs, shared resources, community outreach and opportunities for member businesses and professionals to connect, develop, grow and prosper.

The PCBA is made up of businesses of all sizes and types who want to expand their reach and grow their business within Peachtree Corners and the greater metro Atlanta area.

For more information, call 678-969-3385, email membership@peachtreecornersba.com or visit peachtreecornersba.com.