On Saturday, November 9th, Daufuskie Island Independent School students participated in the South Carolina Bar Association’s Regional Mock Trial Competition in Georgetown, SC. The Middle School Mock Trial (MSMT) Program is an opportunity for students to learn about the basics of litigation and how the American judicial system operates. Each year a fictional case is presented for use by all teams. Students study the trial documents provided and create their own prosecution and defense cases to be able to role play as if in a real court of law. Each trial is held in a real courtroom and overseen by volunteer judges, as students act the parts of lawyers, defendant, witnesses, bailiff, and timekeeper. Students build off their prepared parts to meet the dynamic challenges presented as the case proceeds.
This competition was the culmination of DIIS students’ first quarter Mock Trial class, taught by community educator Larry Dessem. After Larry’s wife, Beth volunteered to take part in an 8th grade classroom book club last school year, he wondered what he could do to engage with and support the growth of DIIS students. Larry received his law degree from Harvard Law School and later worked for the United States Department of Justice representing the Executive Branch in the federal courts. Recognizing that he enjoyed teaching, Larry left DOJ to teach criminal and civil litigation courses at the University of Tennessee, and later served as Dean of both Mercer Law School and the University of Missouri Law School. Given his background in trial law as well as teaching, Larry quickly recognized that “teaching Middle School Mock Trial could be a great experience for both the DIIS students and myself.”
For about ten weeks, Larry met with students two to three class periods a week. “Day One, few students had been in a courtroom, and even fewer knew what the bailiff’s role was. Basic legal terms such as affidavit, exhibit, and burden of proof were all new vocabulary for the students. But they worked hard and they really rose to the challenge. It was especially rewarding to see them at the competition walk around the courtroom confidently while trying their cases,“ remarked Kimberly Lundgren, who participated as teacher support. “The students were so lucky to learn from a professional as passionate and experienced as Larry. They surprised us, in a good way, on competition day.”
Mr. Dessem teaching at DIIS (L) and Beth & Larry in front of the Georgetown County Judicial Center (R).
On the day of competition, teams were assigned the side of the case that they would represent in each trial round. All teams competed in three rounds, each of which was about two hours long. Working together and without any communication with their coach, teams had to navigate the surprises and strategies of the opposing counsel. Teams were scored both collectively and individually. A special congratulations goes to Ari Tigue-Denny for being recognized by the scoring judges as Best Witness in DIIS’s third-round competition against Buist Academy.
Ari Tigue-Denny on the witness stand playing the witness Bailey Brown.
In each regional competition in SC, teams are nominated to receive the Professionalism and Civility Award in that region. The criteria for this award are as follows: “The qualities of a nominated team demonstrated in the competition include: a professional demeanor, civility, integrity, honesty, fair play, shaking hands (if permissible), respect for the competition, respect for fellow competitors, respect for volunteers and all associated with the program throughout the competition, and respect for courthouse staff and their facilities.” Daufuskie Island Independent School was proud to be the 2024 recipient of this award in the Georgetown Region.
Dr. Tennille Scheriff, Principal of Daufuskie Island Independent School, congratulated students on their achievements. “Receiving the Professionalism and Civility Award at Mock Trial speaks to the intentional culture of respect and collaboration that we work hard to create at Daufuskie Island Independent School. It is evidence that you students strive to live the Student Pledge. We couldn’t be prouder.”
Students as they prepare to try their prosecution case (top). Students holding the Professionalism and Civility Award (above).
Larry Dessem, who had taught second and third-year law students in regional and national mock trial competitions, agreed: “It takes a great deal of hard work, creativity, and team collaboration to succeed at trial or in a trial competition. During the state-wide competition, the DIIS students learned a great deal about the legal process and about themselves and their classmates. Whatever future paths they choose, their success in the South Carolina Mock Trial Competition suggests great things for them in the years to come.”
