The Mock Trial team awaits eagerly as they watch Texas Mock Trial Coordinator Steve Gwinn carry a manilla folder. They form a semi-circle and tightly hold each others hands as Gwinn announces Decatur’s advancement to state.
“When we got to regionals and later found out we won state I became an emotional wreck,” junior Jasmine Walia said.
The journey was rough to reach the regional win. On Dec. 9, Mock Trial coach Susanne Parker took a serious fall that needed immediate medical attention.
“It was initially scary; she was out for a while,” senior Arin Blaylock said. “None of us knew why she had a seizure and no one was coming to us with answers.”
Parker was sent to Wise Regional Health Center and then shortly to Harriss.
“I have no memory of that day, or for a week or two after,” she said.
The team shares a close relationship with Parker. They knew her long recovery began a tough road.
“Without a doubt it hit this team the hardest,” senior Hayley Raasch said. “Even in the little time the rookies had spent with Mrs. Parker they had become emotionally attached.”
The incident happened a few days before the first scrimmage of the season.
“Suddenly during the intense part of their season, they were utterly without a coach,” Parker said. “Mock Trial is unlike any other competition. It takes experience to even understand what needs to be happening.”
With Parker’s absence, senior members began to take on leadership roles.
“Hayley (Raasch) took charge and it was really admirable to me because we were in such a critical time for us,” senior Paulina Sanchez said. “We had someone like Hayley to bring us all together because she is so strong.”
Former mock trial competitors watched scrimmages to help the team’s improvement.
“I have always told the team that we are standing on the shoulders of the teams that have gone before, just like the future teams will be standing on their shoulders,” Parker said. “That became more of a reality than a metaphor.”
Since 2006, the Mock Trial team consecutively advanced to state.
“I didn’t want to be the first team that didn’t make it to state,” Raasch said.
When the team found out about their regional win, they immediately called Parker.
“When I heard they won regionals, it was just pure happiness, and tears were running from my eyes,” Parker said.
For the sixth year in a row, Mock Trial competes at state this weekend, Mar. 1-3.
“The pressure is off for making it to state,” Raasch said. “Now we can focus on doing well.”
The state competition consists of three rounds Friday, Mar. 2, and one round Saturday morning, Mar. 3. The top four teams in the state compete in the final round Saturday evening.
“I expect them to be exceptional because they are. I hope this experience has made them stronger in many ways,” Parker said.
Check back at www.decaturjournal.com to view the state results.
The team placed third in state. Sophomore Laura Nicholson received the honor of best witness in the state.