Education
Norcross High Mock Trial Team Prepares Students for 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.
The Norcross High School drama department has a reputation for presenting quality productions each year, and 2024-2025 is no exception. They staged a one-act show of “The Legend of Sleepy Hollow” in October followed by “Miss Nelson is Missing” in January. Next up for NHS Theatre is Matilda the Musical, set to open in April.
Leading the department this year is NHS’ new theatre director, Terry Gabbard, who came to Norcross with degrees in educational theatre and educational leadership, as well as over 20 years of public school theatre teaching and directing experience.
An award-winning director and playwright, he received the prestigious John W. Parker Award for excellence in directing in 2015, has had numerous productions named “distinguished play” from the North Carolina Theatre Conference and has three Best Musical wins from the Blumey Awards (Charlotte, NC’s version of the Tony awards).
Gabbard has also published two plays, one of which, “Our Place,” was named one of the top ten most produced short plays in American high schools.
Additionally, in 2020, his production of “Puffs” (a clever and comedic play set in the world of Harry Potter) was selected as one of only a handful of productions in America to perform at the International Thespian Society festival.
Though busy with preparations for Matilda, Gabbard recently took the time to answer a few questions about his career, his love of theatre and what’s next for the NHS drama department.
Which productions have you worked on since joining NHS?
We started off performing The Legend of Sleepy Hollow in October, and we did a performance of Miss Nelson is Missing in January.
Where did you teach and direct before coming to Norcross?
I always explain that my wife supports my teaching habit, so we tend to move as her opportunities change.
I’ve taught mostly in high schools in Florida, North Carolina and now Georgia. I have taught in Gwinnett Public Schools before at Paul Duke STEM and in Cobb County at Campbell High School.
How did the move to NHS come about?
After leaving GCPS for a short few years, I was anxious to get back to this system and this community, and when this opportunity presented itself, I jumped at the chance.
Have you always had a love for theatre?
I started participating in theatre when I was in 9th grade and have never stopped. For me, the thing that drew me to the art form was the sense of community that theatre creates.
What led you to pursue a career teaching and directing? Was there a specific moment that you realized it was what you wanted to do?
When I was a senior in high school, my theatre director let me direct a play in his theatre [for] one class. This is when I realized how much I loved directing and coaching other actors.
What was it like to win the John W. Parker award in 2015? And to be recognized with so many other honors?
I have been blessed to have been recognized several times by my peers and the organizations I’ve partnered with. It’s always nice to have these recognitions, but I have come to believe that any high school theatre production is a miracle in and of itself.
Producing theatre in high schools is always a challenge and getting to opening night is always a huge accomplishment.
Will you continue playwriting in addition to your work as NHS theatre director?
I haven’t written any plays in some time, but I’m definitely starting to get the itch. All of my plays have premiered at the schools where I was teaching. I imagine a world premier will happen at Norcross pretty soon.
What can you share about the school’s upcoming Matilda the Musical production? Is it one that you’ve directed in the past?
I have never directed Matilda, and I am extremely excited for the challenge. The music is incredible, and the characters are big and over the top.
What plans do you have for the NHS theatre program for the remainder of this year and next year?
After Matilda, things wrap up for us. I haven’t yet decided what shows to tackle next year. I know that I want to find plays that have a different tone than the pieces we did this year. The shows have been comedic this year. Something more dramatic is definitely in our future.
The NHS production of Matilda the Musical opens in April.
Dates and show times are:
- Thursday, April 24 at 7 p.m.
- Friday, April 25 at 7 p.m.
- Saturday, April 26 at 7 p.m.
- Sunday, April 27 at 2 p.m.
For more information, visit nhs-drama.com.
The investment will transform the campus and elevate student experiences
Greater Atlanta Christian School (GAC) has announced an investment of over $30 million in facilities and program improvements at GAC, made possible through the Light the Way Campaign, a visionary initiative designed to elevate the educational experience for generations of students.
This transformative campaign will fund a dozen renovation and building projects that reflect GAC’s commitment to preparing students for success in an ever-changing world while deepening the school’s strong Christian foundation. The school recently shared details about some of the program’s key projects.
The Tidwell Commons
At the heart of the campaign is the Jim & Julie Tidwell Commons, a dynamic hub for middle and high school students to gather, collaborate and innovate.
The Tidwell Commons will feature a new student-run coffee shop and bistro, the new Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship Program, a creative media production studio and modern academic spaces, including an enhanced library and academic support areas. The space will also be home to Christian Life and Missions, providing a cornerstone for nurturing faith and spiritual growth within the GAC community.
“The Tidwell Commons will be more than a facility; it will serve as a hub where ideas come to life, equipping students with real-world skills in business, innovation and creativity,” said Dr. Paul Cable, GAC’s high school principal.
The Combee Elementary Complex
The Jim & Becky Combee Elementary Complex will undergo a complete redesign to better support the needs of today’s students. Renovations will include flexible, modern classrooms, enhanced STEM and outdoor learning spaces and a state-of-the-art engineering, science and design lab.
“This renovation will not only modernize the Combee Elementary Complex but will also create an inspiring and secure environment where our younger learners can thrive and grow, reflecting our commitment to excellence in education and student well-being,” said Rhonda Helms, lower school principal.
Athletic improvements
The campaign also includes a new Athletic Field House to support GAC’s soccer, tennis, baseball, softball and girls flag football programs. Featuring locker rooms, training and meeting spaces and upgraded amenities, it will serve as a modern space for game-day operations and practices.
“This is a premier facility that will allow our athletes to compete at the highest level,” shared Athletic Director Tim Hardy.
In addition to the Field House, GAC is renovating and doubling the space in the Naik Athletic Training Center, further strengthening one of the top performance training programs in the state.
“Our performance training program is among the best in Georgia, and these upgrades will align our facilities with the excellence of our programming,” Hardy said.
The expanded training center will feature state-of-the-art performance training equipment, a dedicated speed and agility area and a new recovery suite.
“This space will give our athletes the tools they need to recover efficiently and perform at their peak,” he added.
Wood Family Treehouse
Additionally, the new Wood Family Treehouse and Canopy Walk, which was completed last month, will inspire and elevate students’ outdoor learning experiences for years to come.
Designed as a versatile hub for group learning, hands-on activities and after-school programs, the Treehouse is an exciting space for educational growth, exploration and team-building. It’s a place where students can connect with nature, develop new skills and deepen their love for the outdoors.
An investment in the future
This investment campaign is about more than just buildings though; each project focuses on today’s students as well as future generations, ensuring that GAC remains a beacon of excellence with a foundation of faith for years to come.
Through the Light the Way Campaign, students will benefit from improvements in academics, athletics, the arts, community and Christian faith.
About Greater Atlanta Christian School
Greater Atlanta Christian (GAC) is one of Atlanta’s largest Christian schools, serving over 1,800 PK-12 students. The walkable 90-acre campus is located in Norcross, just off of I-85 and Indian Trail Road.
GAC provides an array of in-person, online and hybrid options with over 65 STEM courses, 30 Advanced Placement (AP) courses, dual college credit courses and personalized and project-based learning.
In addition to forward thinking innovation, GAC students benefit from caring, responsive teaching and small class sizes.
GAC is a faith-infused, academically rich community, ranking at the top of the state for teaching quality, arts and athletics.
For more information, visit greateratlantachristian.org.
Since the opening of the International Charter Academy of Georgia (ICAGeorgia) in 2018, their students have been immersed in Japanese language and culture, including starting each new year (osho-gatsu) — Japan’s most important holiday — with two traditional rituals: Kakizome (New Year Japanese calligraphy) and Mochitsuki (New Year rice pounding).
This year, the students at the K-6 dual-language school in Peachtree Corners, gathered in the gym to practice and demonstrate their growing calligraphy skills and again outdoors a couple of weeks later for the physical fun of mochitsuki.
Kakizome
Literally translated as “first writing,” kakizome is a form of artistic calligraphy of the Japanese language that’s done at the start of each year to express hopes and positive wishes for the year ahead. Using traditional calligraphy brushes and ink, and often expressed through poetry, New Year’s resolutions or an auspicious word, kakizome is a special time to clear your mind and focus on the brush strokes.
According to a press release from the school, for ICAGeorgia’s kakizome event, each student, including the youngest kindergartners, used a traditional brush (ふで) and ink (すみ) to write a Japanese word of their choice — for example, “新年 (new year)” “元日 (New Years Day)” or “もち (mochi).”And, because 2025 is the Year of the Snake in the lunar calendar, 巳 (snake) was included in the word selection.
Mochitsuki
“In Japan, people make ‘mochi’ or pounded rice to celebrate the New Year,” shared Junko Jones, CFO of ICAGeorgia. “Mochi is sticky, so people eat it to help them ‘stick’ with their goals for the year — and they do it with family, friends and people in the community who they would like to ‘stick’ together [with]. Mochi can also be used as a decoration for New Year’s celebrations.”
Pounding the sticky rice into mochi with a wooden mallet is hard work, but the celebration is also one of Japan’s most fun (and popular) traditions.
For the school’s mochitsuki event, each student had an opportunity to pound and taste the mochi rice. All of the ingredients were donated by ICAGeorgia parents, and the mochi rice was cooked by ICAGeorgia parent volunteers on the day of the event — making it true school community celebration.
After pounding the rice, students, staff and volunteers enjoyed delicious rice cakes (omochi) together, welcoming the new year and looking forward to a happy and successful 2025.
About ICAGeorgia
The International Charter Academy of Georgia offers a dual language immersion program in English and Japanese, allowing students to learn both languages through a variety of subjects, including math, science, social studies, art, music and physical education. Japanese instruction is based on the Japanese Ministry of Education curriculum, and teachers collaborate across departments.
The school’s mission is “to broaden the horizons of students in Georgia so that they may become global citizens who promote peace throughout the world.” This is achieved not only through language learning, but also through cultural activities. But the best way to promote peace and understanding is through interactions among the students themselves, who make up an extremely diverse community.
For more information, visit internationalcharteracademy.org.
Photos courtesy of ICAGeorgia.
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