Bonds Run Deep for Tam High Mock Trial Squad

Although the Tam High Mock Trial team didn’t win the 31st Annual California Mock Trial Finals last weekend, the squad did and it was the team’s strong bond that got them that far.

That bond is formed throughout the course of the year and starts with practices, which consist of many team building exercises that emphasize reliability. In one, the seniors stand on a table, lean back and rely on the underclassmen to catch them. They also do breathing exercises and pump-up sessions. The teammates also built trust by working together 15 hours a week, spread out through fives sessions, on their case. It is things like these that build trust among the teammates.

These exercises have been successful in establishing trust, according to team members, an essential element in Mock Trial.

“I feel like I can talk to anyone in Mock Trial about anything,” said junior Defendant Anna Lipman.

Trust and reliability plays a crucial role in competitions. 

“Trust is a major thing that people have to work on because you need to rely on your teammates to back you up if you fall through on the court room floor,” said junior lawyer Sander Lutz.

Tam’s longtime Mock Trial coach, , sets a perfect example of being reliable. During the recent passing of his father, he made it to every single practice and stayed present.

“If he can go through such a traumatic thing and still be there for us, then it’s inspiring because we know that that we can still be there for him,” Lipman said.

That is just what they did. As one of the finalists in the California Mock Trial Finals, the students are proud of their performance.

“We owed it to him to do well because he's always been there for us through thick and thin,” said Lipman.

--This story was written by Tam High senior Elianna Cohen.