University of Mississippi students Jessica Beavers (left), Benjamin Morrison and Hannah Broders show off their awards from the 2024 Chucky Mullins Invitational. The students all won individual awards at the mock trial competition, and Beavers and Broders were members of a team that earned an honorable mention. Submitted photo
Students honored for public speaking, critical thinking
Several University of Mississippi students earned honors during the fifth annual Chucky Mullins Invitational hosted recently by the university’s Mock Trial Association at the School of Law.
The competition included 14 collegiate teams from across the Southeast, all members of the American Mock Trial Association. One of the university’s two teams scored fifth overall, garnering an honorable mention, and three students earned individual honors.
The Ole Miss Mock Trial Association is a student-led organization that helps build skills needed for career success by competing in regional and national tournaments.
“Students who participate in mock trial must develop a suite of effective tools, from public speaking to agility in critical thinking,” said John Bruce, chair and associate professor of political science and the organization’s faculty adviser. “Successful members of the team – and successful teams – must be effective in a trial-like setting while under significant pressure.
“These skills translate into desirable traits in employment and future schooling. Mock Trial members also have to develop strong time management skills to balance the travel to tournaments, practice and their regular schoolwork.”
Students train to take on various roles in a trial, including attorney, expert, witness and victim. This helps garner a well-rounded point-of-view on navigating a professional trial. During rounds of the tournament, each team takes on the roles of defense and prosecution.
A team from Lee University won the event’s overall prize, with the University of Arkansas taking second place and the University of Louisiana at Monroe winning third. Teams from Western Kentucky University and Ole Miss earned honorable mentions.
Students on the UM team that placed are:
- Hannah Broders, a sophomore from Mobile, Alabama, majoring in international studies, team co-captain
- Jessica Beavers, senior business major from Penryn, California, team co-captain
- Avery Breedlove, sophomore history major from Columbus
- Harrison Dillard, graduate student in history from Memphis, Tennessee
- Johnna Moczulski, junior psychology major from Houston, Texas
- Jordan Mack, senior from Conehatta majoring in political science and rhetoric, writing and speech communication
- Matthew Hood, sophomore history major from Fenton, Missouri
- Tyler Boecker, sophomore economics major from Aurora, Illinois.
“We led a team primarily made of new members because we hope that our first competitions of the season are strong learning opportunities for new students,” Broders said. “I left this competition feeling nothing but proud.
“I watched my team work so hard with extra practices in the weeks leading up and intensive scrimmages and run-throughs.”
Broders and Benjamin Morrison, a junior accounting major from Faragut, Tennessee, won Individual Attorney Awards for their performance. Beavers also received the Individual Witness Award.
“In the same way that Rebel success on the football field reflects positively on the university, having a mock trial team that performs well regionally and nationally demonstrates that we have high-caliber students and an institution that supports their efforts,” Bruce said. “Doing well in these tournaments also increases our visibility among the pool of students interested in law school, which is good for recruiting.”
Bruce first became involved with the Mock Trial Association following the death of John Winkle III, a longtime political science professor who had advised the group.
“I took over advising to just help the team get through that year, but have continued because I enjoy working with these students and I see a chance to create some financial stability for the team,” Bruce said.
Besides competing, students also gain practical experience by helping plan and run the events.
“We love hosting the tournament every year, as it is one of the only tournaments in our region and provides a great learning environment for newer teams in the South,” said Emma Hughey, a senior public policy leadership major from Vestavia, Alabama, and director of the tournament coordination team.
The event team also included:
- Charles Conner, a senior public policy leadership major from Franklin, Tennessee, and president of the Ole Miss Mock Trial Association
- Connor Monaghan, a senior political science major from Aberdeen
- Kaley LeCroy, a junior from Tupelo majoring in public policy leadership
- Emma Marreel, a senior dietetics and nutrition major from Long Beach.
Proceeds from the event allow the team to travel to other tournaments.
The competitions provide valuable experience for anyone considering a career in law, said Diego Abele, a senior political science major from Austin, Texas, who led one of the university’s two competing teams.
“Ole Miss Mock Trial has allowed me to nurture my courtroom skills, critically think about difficult legal theories and build a community with brilliant, determined individuals,” said Abele, who is competing for his second year.
Many mock trial participants are actively involved in law and politics, but the organization welcomes all students to join, regardless of major. Students interested in joining can visit the website for more information, including videos from past competitions.
By Will Jones
