Jonesboro High School’s Mock Trial team is headed to New York later this month to participate in an invitation-only competition that pits the Clayton County school against 40 teams from around the world.
“This is a very big and prestigious competition. They call it the world championship,” said Anna Cox, Jonesboro High’s World Language Department chair who co-advises the team with her husband, Andrew, a chemistry teacher at the school.
The 10-member Jonesboro team set the stage for the Oct. 24-26 Empire New York contest by winning first place in the Empire Atlanta event last month. That competition drew 28 teams from 14 states.
This will be Jonesboro’s third appearance at the Empire New York contest. Two years ago, when Hurrican Sandy was ravaging the New York coastline, the team placed fourth.
This year’s Jonesboro mock trial team, which includes five seniors, three juniors and two sophomores, is looking to add to its already-impressive track record. In the last 15 years, the high school’s mock trial team has won seven state titles and two national championships, earning national recognition for the 54,291 -student Clayton County school district.
The team has been practicing at least three days a week since they were assigned their mock trial case in June, Cox said. They’re working on a civil case that stems from police brutality. To prepare, they’re creating direct and cross-examinations as well as writing opening statements and closing arguments, Cox said.
“Their strong suit is in their experience in competition and their ability to argue objections,” Cox noted.
Several judges and attorneys in Clayton County’s judicial system also have been working for years with the Jonesboro mock trial team, which has produced at least four lawyers, including Clayton Executive Assistant District Attorney Kathryn Powers.
“We have a darn good team,” said Clayton Solicitor General Tasha Mosley, one of team’s attorney coaches.
Lovejoy Mayor Bobby Cartwright pitched in $500 and the council, $1,500 when several team members appeared before the board seeking help in raising money for their New York trip. Superintendent Luvenia Jackson and the school district provided the rest of the money.
“They are a great inspiration to Jonesboro - not just the school but the community as well,” said Jonesboro High Principal Felicia Brown. “There are so many negative things that take place. Just to have a positive interaction from our students is a major accomplishment.”
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