Fifteen years ago when Elisa King- Government teacher at KHS- started a Mock Trial team, she had no idea the success it would garner. Yet, this weekend the team will head to the state competition in Columbus for the first time in it’s history.

“We made it,” Senior Ryan Corey said. “It’s exciting to be the first ones ever to make it this far, especially to do it Senior year.”  

The Kings Mock Trial team has consistently been good, reaching the Regional Championships in 2010, 2011, and 2013, with two teams making it in 2011, but this year they’ve finally broken through and reached the State competition.

“We’ve had many teams make it to Regionals and have always come close to State,” said King, the adviser for the team. “The thing that makes this team unique from past teams is the amount of experience we have on the team. We have many Juniors and Seniors who have been doing this since their Freshman year and that has really helped push this team to the next level.”

Seniors Ben Jackson and Grace Palaparty have both enjoyed being leaders on the team and what they’ve accomplished.

“It’s really satisfying to see all the hard work pay off and everything we’ve done was leading up to this moment,” said Palaparty.

“The best part is seeing the growth and progression from the beginning of the season when things were a little rough all the way to Districts and Regionals, and now State,” Jackson said.

But King was even more proud of them

“I’m extremely proud of this group and what they’ve accomplished. This has been a fun year and I’m extremely proud of how far we’ve come.”

The State Competition is in Columbus, Ohio on March 10th and 11th. If they make it through State, they will go on to compete in Nationals in Boise, Idaho on May 12-14.

By Caleb Ewing