Santa Fe High’s Mock Trial team is an engaging class: ¨It teaches application of law ethics, public speaking, and allows students to learn about the legal system,” says Ms. Spurgeon, who teaches the class.

The students, which range from freshmen to seniors, go through all of the motions of court, rehearsing both the prosecution side as well as the defensive side of certain cases for months. Then, in February, they compete against other schools from around the state in trials. 

Last year was Ms. Spurgeon’s first year teaching Mock Trial, when the team placed third in the competition. Their goal this year is to win first place. Last year they had only one team, but this year, they will have three.

One of the students, Christian Tierney, a sophomore, says, “Ms. Spurgeon’s class is a lot of fun. It requires a lot of memorization. You have to be fairly competent, and it teaches good skills.”