![Bass Clef Choir members Zion Ondoma, Henry Hansen, and Zerik Nicholson harmonize vocals while singing "Prayer of the Children". “[It’s] a piece dealing with the Bosnian conflicts of the ‘90s,” said Associate Director of Choral Activities Matthew Jensen, “but is applicable to what's happening today all over the world.” The students will perform the song during Large Group Contests in Cedar Falls in May.](https://riverhawkpress.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/04/20260414_111618-1200x554.jpg)
Mock Trial students are going to the regional competition this week in Davenport.
“We’re working on a case,” said Senior Sofia Ahari, acting as a lawyer in the case. “Seneca Crane vs. the State of Iowa. It’s basically about this girl, Seneca—we’re trying to figure out whether or not she committed arson on a property that’s been in her family for a while called the Caravansary.”
Mock Trial is a club where MCHS students can learn and see what it’s like to act as a lawyer. This year, the club has grown larger, with two teams competing. The first team competed in March at a regional competition at NIACC.
Jack Lander, a local attorney in Mason City, volunteered to be the new Mock trial coach.
“For those interested in law, it offers a firsthand look at the judicial system, courtroom procedures, and how attorneys build arguments,” Landers said, “For students who aren’t planning to pursue law, it’s a fun and engaging activity that helps develop important life skills like public speaking, writing, critical thinking, and teamwork.”
Kaylee Myers is a freshman working as a paralegal in the case. She’s also the timekeeper in the competition. “It is helping me be a better speaker and [I’m] learning how to analyze work and put it into words,” said Myers.
According to Lander, one of the best parts of Mock Trial is the sense of community it creates.
“Students really become close with one another because they’re working together toward a shared goal,” Lander said, “Each person plays an important role in the team’s overall strategy, and that collaboration naturally builds strong friendships.”
The students act as a team with some students prosecuting, some defending, and others acting as witnesses. They present their case in front of real Iowa judges and compete against other high school teams.
Mock trial meets every Wednesday from 2:40 pm to 4:00 pm in the MCHS Library. Earlier this month, the first Mock Trial team competed at the regional competition at NIACC. Zoe Zimmerman and Ashley Rubio Monroy were named ‘Outstanding Prosecutors. Chloe Nava received ‘Outstanding Witness’
