Maine South High School Competes in the 2025 ISBA Mock Trial Invitational

While in Springfield for the 2025 ISBA High School Mock Trial Invitational, the Maine South Mock Trial Team had the opportunity to tour the Illinois Supreme Court. Before competing on Saturday, March 15, the team received a guided tour. Students were able to explore courtrooms, the library, and the gallery while learning about the Court’s history.

“We were able to see the room where the attorneys present their materials, where the justices sit, their official portraits, the appellate room, and the law library,” sophomore Julia Pertsak said.

In the courtroom, students were able to learn about the meaning of the design of the room.

“It was really interesting to see how the architecture and decoration were all planned to reinforce the Court's structure and purpose, and to note how and why the rooms were decorated as they were in the early 1900s,” Maine South Mock Trial Coach Mr. Donald Mcarthur said. “I was struck by the reminder - good for everyone - to "hear the other side," and I also found it really interesting that the seven justices have apartments on the third floor and live and dine together when the Court is in session.”

The next stop on the tour was the library inside the courthouse. Students were able to walk through the shelves of books and explore the cases that are kept.
“The tour guide explained that Abraham Lincoln used the same books when he was an attorney,” freshman Samantha Schelovitzky said.

The experience added an additional opportunity to learn while in Springfield.

“As an educator, I would say I walked away with valuable insights to bring back to my own classroom, and I could tell the students truly enjoyed and appreciated the visit,” Maine South Mock Trial Coach Ms. Valerie Fresh said. “I would highly recommend other teams take the opportunity to go. Overall, it was a meaningful and memorable trip for all of us.”