Driven by relentless preparation and a tight-knit team culture, CHS students win the courtroom competition for the 10th time in the school’s history
By the time the final round began at the Michigan High School Mock Trial Competition, Community High School junior Walker Ledbetter already sensed something different.
It wasn’t the closing arguments or the judge’s reaction that tipped him off. It was a single objection—delivered early, precise, and unexpected.
“Sadie Palay objected to one of the most important pieces of evidence the opposing side had,” Ledbetter said, referring to his teammate. “She used a lesser-known variant of the hearsay rule and got the evidence excluded.”
In that moment, he scribbled a note to another teammate: “So… we just win now, right?”
They did.
Led by social studies teacher Chloe Root, the Community High School Mock Trial Team took first place at the state competition in Lansing, capping a season defined not just by results, but by preparation, trust, and a shared sense of purpose.
This was the school’s tenth Mock Trial state championship.
For junior Noah Lauring, the impact of mock trial has stretched far beyond the courtroom.
“Because of mock trial, I am now seriously considering pursuing law as a career path,” he said. “Doing mock trial has improved my understanding of the legal system and made me a more confident public speaker.”
Noah, who joined as a freshman, credits repetition—and saying yes to every opportunity—as key to his growth. While invitational tournaments are optional, he calls them essential.
“I would highly recommend doing so, since they are one of the best ways to improve your skills,” he said. Competing as often as possible, he added, not only sharpened his performance but also helped him build close friendships across the team.
That balance—serious competition paired with genuine connection—shows up everywhere in the program.
Walker describes the transition from witness to attorney as one of the toughest challenges he’s faced.
“At first it feels like talking in wizard or in alien,” he said of learning legal language. “But after you watch enough trials, it just becomes a second language.”
Even so, he points to something less tangible as the team’s real advantage.
“I think we have something special here,” Walker said. “Everyone on our team… is so happy to be there. We are dedicated, brilliant, silly, diligent, and above all, friends.”
That culture is reinforced by a deep bench of volunteer coaches—attorneys, alumni, and even an acting coach—who Noah says are central to the team’s success.
“They are all supportive and helpful, and in my opinion, they are the main reason why our team has seen as much success as it has,” Noah said.
The event was sponsored by the Michigan Center for Civil Education, and the national competition is set for May 7-9 in Des Moines, Iowa.
As Walker put it, stepping into the courtroom comes with a certain calm, knowing “that every word I have to say has been sharpened a thousand times.”
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