Sargent’s 5th and 6th graders doing their mock trial this year over zoom with Jon Hunzeker acting as judge.

MONTE VISTA - Sargent’s 5th and 6th grade students, like students everywhere, have had a very different spring semester than many were planning. In addition to the cancellation of in-school learning, many projects and experiences have resulted in more cancellations due to the pandemic. However, thanks to technology, Sargent’s 5th and 6th graders were able to complete their final project of the year.

For the last two years, Kari Christoferson who teaches 5th and 6th grade writing at Sargent, has taken her students to the Rio Grande County courthouse to present a mock trial in front of a Judge Zollars. However with schools and courthouses closed due to COVID-19 they had to get creative and held their mock trial over Zoom.

“The kids had so many big projects and experiences canceled this year that I wanted to do what I could to allow them to still have this experience in some form. Over the past two months of remote learning, the kids have continued their preparation of analyzing statements, creating case theories, and now writing and rehearsing opening statements, closing statements, direct examinations and cross-examinations,” stated Christoferson about their year-end project.

The students were able to hold the mock trial of the state of Tennessee versus Hadley Gruber. The case is an archived case file from a former Tennessee High School State Mock Trial competition. Although it was originally designed for high school students, these elementary students took on the case with impressive ability. Giving opening and closing statements, questioning witnesses, and more in a very professional way. Jon Hunsker, who practices law in Nebraska, was able to preside over the proceedings as judge. Students who were not a part of the trail as the accused, witnesses or lawyers were able to observe as the jury. Afterward they were able to discuss the case and then send in their verdict for guilty or not guilty.