The prestigious Morris County Courthouse in Morristown was the scene of a remarkable achievement this season as Mendham High School’s Mock Trial Team celebrated their 20th consecutive county championship. The team, renowned for their dedication and skill, faced a formidable challenge from Delbarton School. Yet, under the leadership of senior attorney Olivia Piacenti and co-counsel Nathan Acheampong, Mendham’s Defense team delivered an incisive and articulated performance. This victory matched the earlier triumphs of the Plaintiff side, led by attorneys Ryan Smith and Anthony Khakhiashvili.
The success of the team is the result of three months of intensive preparation, honing their case substance, testimonial skills, and presentation under the guidance of club advisor, Mr. Eric Heditsch, and longtime attorney coach, Bill Connelly. Their efforts have secured a historic milestone in one of New Jersey’s most hallowed courtrooms. Next month, Mendham Mock will proudly represent Morris County in the New Jersey state competition in New Brunswick.
In an exclusive interview, Ryan Smith shares his journey and evolution within the club. “I first joined the mock trial team in my junior year, which was the 2023-2024 season,” says Ryan. “Even though I have only been on the team for two years, my role has certainly developed and grown over time. During my junior year, I was a witness, more specifically, a defendant. For those who do not know, mock trials really involve two primary student roles: witnesses and attorneys. As a witness, I strived to be realistic and natural-sounding, which is something that we take a lot of pride in as a team.”
Reflecting on his transition to the role of an attorney, he stated, “As a senior, I am now an attorney, and much like a witness, I try to be likable and knowledgeable on the case pattern and courtroom procedure. My job ranges from launching objections to cross-examination of witnesses, and my favorite part, the closing statement where I get to summarize my case to the jury.”
Discussing the highlights of the season, Ryan recounted, “So far, we have competed in the county tournament held at the Morristown county courthouse. The tournament involves two preliminary rounds, and from there, the qualifying teams compete in the quarter-finals. Like any traditional bracket, the winners move onto the semis, and then the championship. As a team, we had strong victories in all five rounds and took home our 20th consecutive county title beating out Delbarton in the championship.”
Further emphasizing the unique experience of competing in the historic courtroom, he reflects on the highlight of the season. “When the Mendham defense beat the Delbarton plaintiff in the historical county courtroom. This courtroom was built in the 1800s, and the room itself is a historical work of art. To be able to compete in that environment is a one-of-a-kind experience that even real lawyers may not experience.”
When asked about the key to the team’s sustained success, he shared, “While our strategies for success are a safeguarded secret, a basic rule of thumb is that practice makes perfect. We put in a ton of hours for months on end in preparation for these tournaments, and often that work pays off. While the team has gained a reputation for racking up championship titles on the county and state level, it is this hard work…practice that allows [this] to happen.”
Reflecting on the challenges of maintaining such long-term success, he noted, “A major challenge behind the long and successful legacy of Mendham mock trial is that you never want to be the team to break the streak. Thankfully, this season we pulled through again and have reached 20 county titles. Along with that title, we have reached the milestone of 100 county wins. With that achievement, the team can now continue to compete but in many ways, a lot of the pressure is off. I guess you could say we are playing with house money, and now our only goal is to make it as far into the state tournament as possible, with our eyes set on a 7th state title.”
And the team achieved their goal indeed. On March 21st, Mendham Mock Trial secured a victory in the state semifinal. Mendham will now go on to face Midland Regional High School, the champions from the Southern Division, in the upcoming state final.
The Amanda Mark trial defense team attained early victories, while the plaintiff team landed the crucial semifinal win. The plaintiff team will now represent Mendham in the finals against Midland’s defense. “This is a matchup for the ages as Midland Regional and Mendham have faced each other in the finals of the competition four times, and each team has two wins against the other,” says Ryan. Anticipation is high, and the team is dedicating extensive practice hours to prepare for this critical match, aiming for their seventh state title.
A victory in the state final will grant Mendham entry into the national competition in Phoenix, Arizona, scheduled for May 7-10. Mendham currently leads with 20 county championships compared to Midland’s 18, and holds six state titles to Midland’s three. The upcoming final is sure to be a defining moment in New Jersey’s mock trial history, as both teams vie for victory. Congratulations to these remarkable scholars on their achievements and best wishes for the challenges ahead.
