The mock trial varsity team won a professionalism award at their trial at Johnson County Courthouse on Feb. 27.

It’s an extremely prestigious award chosen by the other teams and given to the team that was the most professional and respectful.

Two school teams participated. The varsity team had six students on it, and the novice team had seven students in the event. They were mentored by actual judges or law students.

Along with the professionalism award, they received a $50 reward card to Papa Johns, and currently it is undecided when they will use it.

Matthew Farewell, senior, stated that they “took it more seriously, and in a more argumentative manner this time.”

The team had lots of returners from last year; some have been on the team for three years. “They understand what to do. Their confidence level is really high,” Amanda Doane, sponsor, said. “They are really good in creating opening lines.”

They had about two and half months to prepare their case for defense and prosecution. When they arrived at the courthouse Abigail Weber, captain of the team, found out if they were prosecuting or defending first; they prosecuted two times and defended two times.

Next year they are planning on having a civil case, and all the novice team members will move up to varsity. Weber believes that they “had a lot more experience on the team” this year because many got experience from their law class as well.

The team will compete next year from December to February, and anyone interested in law can join before December by talking to Doane in room 411.