03/20/2026
A BLAST FROM THE PAST! Published January 2013
It's amazing to see where some of these people ended up. The author of the article, Mikki Ness, is now in her final year of law school at Lewis & Clark Law School in Portland, Oregon; Paul Quale is the teacher coach of the incredibly successful Sun Prairie West High School Mock Trial team; and Jacob Steiner is practicing law in New York City.... and those are just the people I've stayed in contact with. Would love to know where all of the others are today!
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Students sharing smiles and telling jokes as they eat supper in a cozy corner of the cafeteria at the Memorial Union--this was just the beginning for the Lodi Mock Trial team on Tuesday, December 11.
The Lodi High School Mock Trial team, along with coaches Janel Anderson and Renee Potter, spent the evening on the UW-Madison campus. The team had the great privilege of meeting and learning from the UW-Madison Mock Trial team. Captain of the UW team and former LHS Mock Trialer, Jacob Steiner along with several of his teammates shared with the high school team just how college mock trial operates and how it differs from high school. The UW team presented a few direct and cross-examinations, leaving the Lodi team amazed. The highlight of the evening was when the teams then broke into smaller groups, and LHS students got opportunities to share their own materials with the college students and receive insightful comments and constructive criticism. The Lodi students feel blessed to have had this experience to talk with and learn from the UW Mock Trial team and would like to give them big thanks! Every member of the Lodi team had a blast and left with great tips to better themselves for their bright season ahead.
Lodi Mock Trial has three teams this year: one varsity and two junior varsities, filled with so many smart and talented students. Mock trial is an extracurricular activity, having practices and much of the work take place outside of the school day. Students take on roles as attorneys or witnesses, and sometimes both. The student attorneys must prepare opening statements, closing arguments, and direct and cross examinations, and witnesses must memorize entire affidavits and be ready to perform like actors. Essentially, the team must have the entire case memorized down to every small detail, in a short time. The teams are preparing a First Degree Homicide case for competitions this year, gearing up for the regional tournament approaching in the next few months. The team also has hopes to reach the state competition, which they have attended the past 9 years. The teams are very thankful for their coaches, Ms. Anderson and Mrs. Potter, for taking the time out of their busy schedules and providing the students with such a great experience.
The Mock Trial team is not just a team, but a family. Support and respect are the most important goals to the teams, and these will be carried out until the season comes to an end. Come watch and support your local Mock Trial teams, and Go Lodi!
