Howard Payne University’s Mock Trial team was honored at the American Mock Trial Regional Competition, receiving the Spirit of AMTA Award as the team that best exemplifies the ideals of the American Mock Trial Association – civility, justice and fair play. The other teams at the competition vote on the award, and the HPU team received 29 out of 30 points to win. The competition was held recently at Baylor University.

The HPU students who competed were junior Daniel Archer of Houston; junior Edie Brimer of Rising Star; freshman Takara Bailey of Cleburne; sophomore Sydney Hager of Bangs; junior Charis Mayton of Buena Vista, Colorado; senior Maxwell McPhee of Early; and senior Graham Goff of Brownwood. The team is sponsored by Kenan Boland, assistant professor of government.

“Mock Trial is a tough competition and Howard Payne was represented well by these students,” Boland shared. “They had fierce competition, but they maintained such good attitudes and worked together well. Throughout the entire weekend, competitors from other universities would stop me to comment on how polite and wonderful the HPU students were, which is so impressive. We all learned a lot and can’t wait to go back next year.”

In Mock Trial, students are given a “mock” case and must prepare both a plaintiff-side case and a defense-side case. Each side involves creating an opening statement, a closing statement, direct questioning of three witness and cross-examining three witnesses from the opponent’s side. Students play the roles of lawyer and witnesses in each round, which take approximately three hours.

This was the first year for each of the team members to compete in the competition, and the event was an important milestone. Archer, the team captain, shared about the experience.

“The American Mock Trial Regional Tournament provided invaluable experience for our team,” he said. “By competing against some of the biggest universities in Texas and beyond, we grew in our ability to communicate compelling stories and construct effective arguments, specifically in the courtroom setting. Most importantly, I think our earning the Spirit of AMTA Award is indicative of how the team represented Christ and Howard Payne University well at the competitive level.”

Mock Trial is offered as a course at HPU and is open to any student, regardless of major. Students interested in participating in the fall 2023 semester can contact Kenan Boland at 325-649-8178 or [email protected]. Limited scholarships are available for students who qualify.