Cardinal Spellman High School

8
what’s happening on the hill
Spellman’s Mock Trial Teaches Students
to Think on Their Feet and Take a Stand
Lightning-fast thinking and stellar debate tactics are the makings of a solid mock trial team and Spellman is a rising
star among statewide contenders for the championship title. Still in its relative infancy, the team was born just
five years ago, under the direction of History Department Chair, Alex Kuznezov. “The greatest challenge for our
students is to be able to hold their own and excel,” said Kuznezov. “It shows that our students are not only as smart
as the others they’re competing against, statewide, but are better able to perform and achieve academically.”
“The greatest
challenge for our
students is to be able
to hold their own
and excel... It shows
that our students are
not only as smart,...
but are better able
to perform and
achieve academically.”
“We meet the challenge of competing with
excellent students in the state and our record
speaks for itself,” said Kuznezov of Spellman’s
five-year win/loss record of 18/5. Its league
competition featured a 14/1 record, prior to
play-off trials.
Essentially, the Massachusetts Bar Association
sets up competitions and state-wide tournaments,
featuring cases assigned to the team for court
argument in front of actual judges. In the proposed
case, students receive a 150-page manual to study
and choose parts for witnesses and other key
players in the trial. According to Kuznezov, a key
case dealt with underage drinking by a high school
student at a college party. Each side was tasked
with convincing the other about the fault issues
associated with a DUI charge, but manslaughter
complicated the issues when a pedestrian was
killed by the drunk driver. In addition, the students
had to evaluate the legality of the administered
sobriety test. He explained that in the state playoffs, a flip of a coin decides whether your team is arguing
for the defense or the prosecution. According to Alex, “This type of spur-of-the-moment debating does
not work for the intense planner type of personality… you have a mere half hour to prepare your case after
receiving the news! You’re really thinking on your feet; it’s a great skill that can be applied in any class.”
Open to all students, about 50 students each school year compete for a much-coveted slot on the team.
Prospective team members are given a topic they have to debate. After one minute of uninterrupted prep
time, the coach “butts in and argues” the respective issue on the opposing side. “Then we (Kuznezov and
two other students) go three on one and try to back that candidate into a corner.”
“I feel that our youngsters are very prepared, legally and in their presentation. But, sometimes you do
everything right and it just doesn’t go your way,” commented Kuznezov of the legal and life lesson.