Saint Peter High School

According to the Minnesota State Bar Association, “The Minnesota High School Mock Trial Program is an exciting law-related education program that introduces students to the American legal system and provides a challenging opportunity for personal growth and achievement. Your students will exercise their critical thinking and teamwork skills, as well as the basic skills learned in the classroom.”

“One of my favorite parts of coaching Mock Trial is helping students build their characters and really step into their roles,” Clark said. “A lot of our work involves examining the case from different angles, thinking through strategies, and figuring out how each witness or attorney would realistically approach the situation. It becomes a really interesting mix of history, storytelling, and critical thinking.” 

The team’s roster this year included a balanced mix of sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Clark commended the upperclassmen for their leadership, confidence, and readiness to step into larger roles, while also highlighting the younger students’ enthusiasm and eagerness to learn.

The 2026 Mock Trial season was Clark’s last as coach of the team. Going forward, Andrea Faches, the mother of Mock Trial junior team member Melina Chadwick, will step into the role and continue the program. 

“Looking back, coaching Mock Trial has been a really rewarding experience,” Clark added. “Each season has given me the chance to work with incredibly smart, capable, and thoughtful students. Watching them develop confidence, learn how to think on their feet, and work together as a team has always been the most fulfilling part of the program. I have genuinely enjoyed getting to know so many of these students over the years, and I wish the team nothing but the best moving forward.

“This year’s Mock Trial team had a really nice mix of experience and new energy. Our senior leaders were Elijah Cherland-Narum, Vayda Gratton, Octavia Fuller, and Gabe Zayas, who became our timekeeper for his senior year. They brought a lot of confidence and courtroom experience after competing over the years. Our junior class included Melina Chadwick, Khalid Ibrahim, and Sam Barnick, who really stepped into bigger roles this year and were key in helping the team prepare. We also had a strong group of sophomores, including Andi Turrittin, Natalie Twait, Hadley Stauf, and Devlin Kinney, who were newer to Mock Trial but they were incredibly enthusiastic and quick to learn the process.

“Overall, we had a balanced roster this season with experienced upperclassmen who helped guide younger students who developed their skills,” Clark added. “That mix created a really collaborative environment where students learned how to think critically, work as a team, and perform in a courtroom setting.”

ST. PETER MOCK TRIAL - SEASON SCORES