Random Lake students showcase mock-trial win and speak about skills gained

Andrea Peterson, an English teacher who helped start the Random Lake High School mock-trial team, told the school board the program grew from classroom work into a competitive team this year.

"I said we need to do this as competition," Peterson said, describing how she recruited a coach and students to form the team and arranged a scrimmage at the Sheboygan County Courthouse presided over by Judge Bastille.

Students introduced themselves and shared lessons from the season. Liam Purdell, a junior who played a witness, said the experience taught students that "conversation is not a spectator sport," emphasizing the value of active participation. Several teammates cited public speaking and performing under stress as key takeaways: one student said the competition forced them to "learn the full case for your side," while another praised the confidence gained from repeated practice.

Peterson and the coaches noted the team’s rapid progress in a first year: they scrimmaged with local judges, worked with attorney coach Jacob Berenbaum, and one student team achieved a surprise win at competition. The board and staff acknowledged the program, praising students and volunteers and encouraging continuation and further community support.

Peterson closed by saying underclassmen plan to return next year, and the board thanked the team for their presentation.

The board took no formal action on the presentation; it was received as information.