Four JHS mock trial teams advance to state tournament

DES MOINES, Ia. (March 7, 2025) — Johnston will be represented by four teams at the 2025 Iowa High School Mock Trial State Tournament, March 27-29 in Des Moines. 

The four teams advancing to state were among six from Johnston competing this week at the Des Moines Regional High School Mock Trial Tournament, held at the Iowa Events Center. This year’s high school mock trial case was a civil problem — an alleged hazing incident that resulted in a pledge’s death when she tragically fell off a contraption designed to mimic the roof of a student social organization.

Johnston High School mock trial teams advancing to state include: 

Mockingjays!

The Mockingjays! led by co-captains Lexi Peterson and Mirabel Pinkerton. Team members include Suha Basu, Tessa Barker, Reagan Dammier, Eli Dewry, Cate Taylor, Maia Tecklenberg, Lauren Weber and Matthew Zhang.

Mocked In

Mocked In led by co-captains Harrison Burkhardt and Maraya Wiltfang and coached by Holly Bousselot. Team members include Advik Bajpai, Zak Haring, Amogh Jithendra, Lucy Kiekhafer, Maddie Koenigs, Quinnlyn Schulte, David Zhang and Henry Zou.

Tortured Mockers Club

The Tortured Mockers Club led by co-captains Paige Lehman and Ella Prince and coached by Brad Price. Team members include Sophie Amspaugh, Syon Aggarwal, Manasvi Dhanekula, Srihari Kumaresan, Lucy Minger, Abe Prince, Caitlyn Robertson and Daivd Shi.

Deposition Divas

Deposition Divas led by co-captains Hailey Conard and Krish Bolar and coached by Anu Vaitheswaran and Cheryl Smith. Team members include Jordan Amanuel, Elia Brus, Gioia Geha, Ryan MacFarland, Natalie Miller, Kate Shi, Audrey Sullivan and Kalida Tchaprazova.

Results from the regional tournament showcase the strength of the Johnston Mock Trial program. In addition to team awards, many of our students were awarded Outstanding Witness and/or Outstanding Attorney honors — and some students were honored with both awards! 

Introducing students to the legal system

Iowa’s mock trial program is hosted by the Iowa State Bar Association. The program is designed to introduce students to our legal system by providing a challenging, academic competition. The program offers students an opportunity for personal growth and achievement, emphasizing the importance of research, presentation, and teamwork. 

Last year, more than 1,600 Iowa students participated in Mock Trial. The tournament includes students from social studies courses, TAG programs, at-risk classes and extracurricular mock trial clubs. 

In addition to teaching students about contemporary public issues and the legal system, Mock Trial encourages teachers and students to develop learning partnerships with professionals from the community. Lawyers from communities throughout Iowa contribute their time as coaches and judges at the tournaments. Judges from Iowa’s District Courts also participate. These linkages between the schools and the legal profession show students that the community is committed to their educational success.