The Bellwood-Antis mock trial team picked up its first win of the season last Saturday against Forest Hills. The case took place at Cambria County Courthouse in Ebensburg.
Mock Trial is a public speaking and debate activity sponsored by the Pennsylvania Bar Association. Teams from across the Commonwealth receive the same fictional case materials each year and must prepare arguments for both the prosecution and the defense. Students take on the roles of attorneys and witnesses to present their case in a simulated courtroom setting. The case alternates from criminal to civil.
This year’s case was a civil case – a malpractice claim against a doctor. As the case summary states, a Division I athlete became severely ill after following a YouTube program that was suggesting dietary improvements. The suggestions worked until the athlete followed the advice and ate a raw animal. When she sought treatment from her physician, Dr. Colter, he provided minimal care, which may have ultimately led to her death, which resulted from her acquiring a rare parasite.
Who is responsible?
For their first in-court action of the season, B-A presented the case from the defensive side, defending Dr Colter’s family medicine.
Bellwood’s Noah Gulvas was voted best witness while Kirk Keen won best advocate.
“I was very surprised when I won. There were a couple hiccups during the trial, but all in all it went smoothly,” Keen said.
This is Kirk’s second year in mock trial, and first competing for the team. Last year, he was an apprenticed for a role like the one he has now.
Gulvas, meanwhile, is in his third year of mock trial, and second as a competitor, so he is one of the team’s veterans.
“Winning best witness again feels great. It’s nice to see all the hard work I put into my character and memorizing all my lines shown,” Gulvas said.
Keen and Gulvas both believed the trial went great. Despite facing last year’s district champions, the team stepped up, and put in the work to secure the win.
Other team members include: Eric Johnson, Ian Clark, Noah Cokrlic, Cora Clouser, Dennis Brown, Ava Franks, Anthony DeArmitt, Sophia Fatzinger, Dean Hoffer, and Eli Strayer. The group is advised by Mr. Gary Rhone and Mr. Matt Elder. Their legal counsel is Suzanne Bigelow-Cherry.
