Henrico High School mock trial team wins state title

A team of students from Henrico High School won the Virginia and Washington, D.C. High School Mock Trial Competition, held at the Henrico County courthouse March 18 and 19, and next will compete at the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Little Rock, Arkansas in mid-May.

Last month’s event in Henrico drew teams of six to 10 high school students apiece – about 200 students in total – from Virginia and Washington, D.C. They argued the prosecution and defense sides of an arson case.

In the case, the prosecution accused an allegedly reformed arsonist of setting fire to the automotive plant at which he worked. The defense was asked to show how the defendant had changed and pointed to the bias of the prosecution’s witnesses.

On its way to the championship, the Henrico High team faced competitors from John Champe High School, McLean High School, Jackson-Reed High School, and W. T. Woodson High School. After winning its division, the team faced the winner of last year’s championship, Northview Mock Trial Academy.

“It was a really tough competition,” said Rochan Sonti, a senior and captain of the Henrico team. “Everyone we faced was well-prepared, and we were just so pleased that the judges chose us in the end. We lost last year’s final round by one point, and it was vindicating to get the chance to represent the state again this year.”

Kristin Walinski, the team’s volunteer coach, noted the challenges that lie ahead for the team in the national competition, which will take place May 18 to 20.

“We’ll face almost 50 teams from around the country and a couple of international teams,” she said. “It will be a huge challenge for us, especially since some teams are from well-funded private schools, but it’s a challenge that I think our team will be well-prepared to meet.”

Two new Henrico County teams – at Deep Run and J. R. Tucker high schools – sprung up this year.

Mock trial teaches skills that students don’t always get in a classroom setting, Walinski said.

“It helps students develop their communication, problem-solving, teamwork, and critical thinking,” she said. “It enhances their advocacy skills and challenges their ability to think on their feet. Plus, it’s a fun, interactive way for students to engage with the legal system.”

Henrico High earned the most individual awards of any team during the state competition, with freshman Journi Marlow placing as the top attorney on both sides of the case and five students winning witness awards.

“Competing in mock trial has taught me the importance of hard work and determination,” said Marlow, who had never participated in the discipline previously. “I can’t wait to continue my mock trial journey this year.”

Henrico’s courtroom artist, Lara Bouhaidar, and courtroom journalist, Grrish Magan, won state titles as well.

The Virginia and DC High School Mock Trial Competition is run by the Virginia Law-Related Education Institute, a nonprofit that helps students gain a deeper understanding of the legal system while developing leadership, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills.

State Competition Chair Maureen Stinger applauded the support from Henrico County Commonwealth’s Attorney Shannon Taylor and the deputies at the Henrico courthouse.

“We cannot thank Ms. Taylor and her staff enough for all the support they gave us,” Stinger said. “We’re overwhelmed by their generosity. They were in court both days of the competition by 7 a.m. and stayed on Sunday night until after 9 p.m. One deputy was so engaged by the testimony in the final round that he handed a crying witness a tissue.”

* * *

To support the Henrico High School mock trial team in its quest for a national title, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/send-henrico-high-school-mock-trial-to-nationals.