Bemidji High School's mock trial team aims for successful 2023-2024 season
Feb. 3—Bemidji High School
student Nina Bergey steps up to the podium to deliver an opening statement for the prosecution in the case of Smiley Inc. versus the State of Minnesota.
Charges have been brought against Smiley Inc. — a fictional printing company — for alleged illegal discharging of a toxic chemical, Jaundithium, into the Amarillo River in Crow Wing County.
As the case unfolds, witnesses from the prosecution and the defense take the stand as they seek to clinch a victory for their respective sides.
Such a scene is typical for BHS' mock trial team who aims to progress throughout their season with success.
With a make-believe court case conceived by the Minnesota State Bar Association every year, students act out a scenario that requires a lot more than just legal prowess.
"Mock trial is so many things," Coach Jeff Aas explained. "There's a little bit of theater, a little speech, a little law. And you definitely have to think on your feet."
After starting their season in late October, the team was in the thick of competitions by January. They have met three times a week to prepare the case with their prosecution and defense practicing against each other.
Once competitions start up, BHS' prosecution competes against other schools' defense in two of four rounds. On the flip side, BHS' defense is matched up with other schools' prosecution in the remaining two competitions.
In a historic development for the team, BHS hosted Bagley for its first-ever home meet at the Beltrami County Courthouse on Jan. 12 with Bemidji's prosecution winning against Bagley's defense.
For its second round on Jan. 18, BHS' defense lost against Battle Lake High's prosecution.
Aas explained that a team doesn't necessarily win on the merits of the case, but rather their performance and how well they know their script.
"A student has to know all the details for their character," Aas said, "so if they're asked a question and they get something wrong, they'll get points docked. It's just like if you were in the musical. You'd get a script and you'd have to know your lines."
Bringing the case to life overwhelmingly proves to be students' favorite part of the preparation.
"I just love being able to portray what it would be like to be an actual attorney and going through the process of what it would be like in a courtroom," senior Ella Tingum said.
Accompanying the fun, challenges arise with the tedious scientific research the case involves. With those challenges, however, come invaluable skills.
"I've learned to have an intense conversation, like a cross-examination, and being able to get what you need to get out there when you're being questioned like that," junior Jesse Quick said. "It's an important skill to learn and it's certainly helpful to have that ability."
Alongside Aas, attorney coaches Bill Joyce, Katie Nolting and Tom Kuesel offer more than 30 years of mock trial expertise to aid BHS during its practices.
Joyce spoke to the range of learning that takes place during a student's involvement in mock trial.
"It's really cool to get high school kids interested in law, or at least in persuasive arguments, public speaking and analysis of complicated issues," Joyce said. "Whether they go into law or not, those are skills that they can carry with them out in the world and be more successful."
Setting aside some logistics, a mock trial student could take a job from an attorney today.
"Judges will remark at some of our competitions, 'You guys are better than half the attorneys we see in our courtrooms,'" Joyce said. "These kids know how to introduce evidence, how to make an opening statement ... better than some attorneys around this country."
Joyce noted about five previous BHS mock trial students from the past 10 years who have continued on to law school or have become attorneys themselves.
While she still has time to mull over her future plans, freshman Ivy Blumenshein has her sights set on law school.
"I thought about going into law school before I joined mock trial, and I joined mock trial for that reason," Blumenshein said, "but who knows what'll happen?"
Tingum's interest in criminology may lead her to graduate school, though her plans remain flexible. Collegiate-level mock trial teams remain on her radar, as well.
"Criminology could go into either forensics or the legal route. I'll start off there and see what side I like better," Tingum mentioned. "Mock trial has made me look into the legal stuff a lot more and it's just a lot of fun."
Despite his involvement, Quick's career plans transcend the legal realm.
"There are careers I've thought about, none of them with a legal aspect," Quick said, "but I definitely think the skills I've picked up in mock trial will assist me in getting a future career."
BHS' next competition within the Greater Minnesota Northern Division — made up of 20 teams — will take place via Zoom on Tuesday, Feb. 6, with BHS' defense competing against Cambridge-Isanti's prosecution.
Compiling scores from each school's first four rounds, the top six teams advance to a regional tournament and from there, the top three teams qualify for a state competition. BHS has advanced to state on five occasions under Aas' watch since 2011.
"If you ask me," he left off, "my goal would be to take this team to state."
More information on the program can be found at
