News Archive

For the past three years, IU McKinney professors and law students have taught at Shortridge and law students have mentored and coached the high school students for their mock trial team.  

This year, with the help of McKinney law students overseen by Professor Novella Nedeff, ’83, the Shortridge team has advanced to the finals of the Indiana High School Mock Trial Competition which will take place March 7-8 at the Indianapolis City-County Building.  High School senior Markell Pipkins stood out and at the Regional round and won Best Witness award for the second time (the first was in 2013). 

IU McKinney student Burnell Grimes helped the team prepare.  He said, "I could not be more proud of the Shortridge Mock Trial Team for qualifying to advance to the finals of the Indiana High School Mock Trial Competition. The students’ hard work and preparation really paid off.”  He went on to add, “At IU McKinney, there are so many opportunities to apply what you learn in the classroom in the real world. One of my Professor’s at IU McKinney once said, ‘If you really want to learn, teach.’ I am currently taking trial practice here at IU McKinney, and working with the Shortridge mock trial team has really helped me understand the different aspects of trial advocacy that we discuss in class.”  Burnell says that Shortridge’s coach, Dr. Randolph Cochran, who is also the coordinator of the school’s Law and Public Policy Magnet Program, has done a great job in getting the students prepared.  “As a result, the students take ownership of their performances. The students’ willingness to learn and take constructive criticism, gives me great confidence that they will do well in the next round."

In the state-wide competition, teams of high school students present a National Institute for Trial Advocacy-style case, complete with opening, presentation of witnesses and tangible evidence, objections based on the federal rules of evidence, and closing.  The competition is an excellent opportunity for students to deepen their understanding of the legal system, develop critical thinking skills and improve their advocacy and public speaking.  

The Shortridge team included Tyla Smith, Emerald Evans, Mary Baker, Brittany Gasama, Clarence Reed, Markell Pipkins, Xybrina Wilson, Terrence Strong, and Journee Harris.  

In addition to Grimes, other IU McKinney Law students who volunteered their time to help the team prepare were Darwinson Valdez, Hira Malik, Ranissa Dyars, Stephanie Rivas, Jasmine Ivy-Dede, Sierra Senor, and Keshia Springer. 
 
The IU McKinney community wishes the Shortridge team the best of luck in their next round! Go Shortridge!