Saugeen District Senior School (SDSS) Law Club traveled to London to compete in the Central South-Western Ontario Mock Trial competition. The team has been meeting since September and preparing intensely for the past few weeks at lunch and after school. Students had the opportunity to play the roles of legal counsel for both the crown and defence, witnesses, court clerks, and timekeepers. Our team executed these roles for this case of manslaughter perfectly.
SDSS Jr. and Sr. Law Teams at the Court House
After facing different schools and performing in front of different judges in the preliminary rounds, Saugeen came out as the top team and faced Mother Theresa in the final round. The stakes were high as The Honourable Justice Michael B. Carnegie presided over the trial. After an impressive performance including an opening statement, examinations in chief, cross examinations, and a closing statement, the case was left up to Justice Carnegie to deliberate.
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Senior Law Champions
Junior Law team champions
After a thorough and thoughtful explanation of the legal matters in the trial, the judge focused on the performances of those involved. Here are a few of his paraphrased comments to describe our team:
Sara Etedali and Peter Alpajaro
Sarah Etedali – “Enthusiasm is not the word I’d use for you. Your level was beyond that. You took this seriously and seemed to revel in the experience. You were standing on a stage and ready to go. Public speaking is a skillset that people much older than you would envy.”
Rajvi Shah and Spoorthi Vijayakumar
Spoorthi Vijayakumar – “Your radiance and enthusiasm is infectious. Your smile is infectious.”
Rajvi Shah – “Your composure is well beyond your years. You were calm. You were well prepared. You were impressive.”
Peter Alpajaro – “A professional cross-examination. Very focused. You controlled the witnesses and also yourself. Very little other than impressive performance to comment on.”
Asiya Abbas (Dofi Kudjoe) – “You had serious attitude. There was a lot of charm.”
Aditya Pandya (Det. Sgt. Jorah Augustus) – “Confidence! Some great lines. You spoke to me. You had an arrogance that was over the top but most enjoyable. You’re a future expert witness. You were direct. You didn’t evade. You didn’t lack for confidence.”
The team won every award at the tournament which consisted of eight teams.
Outstanding Witness Award – Aditya Pandya
Outstanding Lawyer Award – Sara Etedali
Junior Division Champions – Saugeen District
Central South-Western Ontario Champions – Saugeen District Senior School
“The team would not have been as successful without the support of some community members that assisted in our preparations. We are grateful for the assistance from Cheryl Grace, Cathy Tolton, and Rachel Stack,” said teacher, Cory Munro. “Hard work and commitment paid off. Congratulations to everyone who played a role in making this happen.”
Peter Alpajaro – “A professional cross-examination. Very focused. You controlled the witnesses and also yourself. Very little other than impressive performance to comment on.”
Aditya Pandya (Det. Sgt. Jorah Augustus) – “Confidence! Some great lines. You spoke to me. You had an arrogance that was over the top but most enjoyable. You’re a future expert witness. You were direct. You didn’t evade. You didn’t lack for confidence.”
