It’s a milestone win for the Criminal Justice Team at Chippewa Secondary School.
They’re the first school outside of Sudbury’s Rainbow District School Board to win gold at the Hennessy Cup Mock Trial Competition.
The competition has been running for 21 years.
Nearly 70 students competed in a full day of courtroom trials, culminating in a championship match judged by Justice Patricia C. Hennessy, Ontario Superior Court Justice.
Officials say the team from Chippewa impressed with their exceptional preparation, courtroom presence, and legal acumen while delivering a powerful and unified performance.
Two Chippewa students also earned individual honours.
Ellie Liddle won the Best Advocate – Defence award for her commanding cross-examinations and well-structured arguments, while Sydney Bruner was named Most Valuable Player, recognized for her exemplary leadership and courtroom confidence.
“The mock competition felt realistic; they took us very seriously,” says Adelaide Murton, Grade 11 student. “After the championship round, we were very confident that we had done well. Nothing the other team threw at us undermined our arguments or made us change course. No one had a tricky time making the points they wanted to make or getting their words out, so it went really well.”
Along with Murton, Liddle and Bruner, the local team includes Aila Van Haesendonck, Breanna Dumond, Jaidyn Embrack, Molly Robertson, and Yeva Korotkykh.
“The success of this event reflects not only the students’ efforts but also the vital role that mock trial competitions play in developing public speaking, critical thinking, and civic understanding in young learners,” says Andrea Lefebvre, Chippewa law teacher.
The team’s coaching staff includes Dawn McCaig, Zachary Huywan and Pierre Lambert-Belanger from the Crown Attorney’s Office, and Rory Currie of Perrin Ahmad LLP.
