Fulfilling Our Civic Duty at NHS

 In order to ensure every voice is heard, members of the Student Council and Mock Trial Team are looking for new members this month at Newburyport High School.

The Student Council was one such organization that met earlier this month in the School Cafeteria. The Student Council, a nationwide organization, allows students to have a say on major decisions in our school, fulfilling a civil duty. The council’s main goal, according to newly elected President, Tyler Chorebanian, is to “make the school the best it can be for students”. 

Every year the Student Council sets aside a few key issues to focus on.  Last year hall passes were that main focal point, while this year Spirit Week seems to be the center of attention. When referring to Spirit Week, he said, “It went well last year, but we’re still trying to make it the best it can be”. 

Though it’s been around for years at Newburyport High, Spirit Week has changed quite a bit. Last year it went through a design overhaul, which went well. However, the council is still working hard to make it the best it can be in time for March. 

When asked about why students should join the council, Chorebanian stated “It’s a good way to meet the people around you, and learn the process of how decisions are made”. 

Due to the group being made up of all four grade levels, students can learn to work together with people of different ages. The council seems to be targeting underclassmen to join in their advisory, who are still figuring out high school, and they think these skills will help them. 

The council’s president said he “likes being a part of something bigger”, when asked about what he enjoys about being part of the Student Council.

Spots are filling up fast! If students are interested in joining the Student Council, they will have to do it soon because spaces are filling up. If positions haven’t been decided for an advisory, its students talk to their advisory teacher so they know they are interested. The Advisory Teacher can then sign you up for the Council. 

This month, the school’s Mock Trial Team was also revving up for the start of its season. Mock Trial, which has been around almost forty years, is a competition run by the Massachusetts Bar Association. It allows high school students to act as a lawyer or witness and simulate a real trial. In learning about the law, they are fulfilling a civic duty.  

A member, Thomas Gordon, said “ I think you’re talking about writing, editing and public speaking skills” which “you don’t get in a lot of other teams or classes”, when discussing the impact this program has on the school. 

The Mock Trial Team, which meets once a week, allows students to act as a law firm. In doing so, they can practice skills like writing and public speaking, which they also put to use in trials. These “real world” skills aren’t as common in many other clubs according to Gordon. 

When asked about the team's goals for the 2024-25 season, Gordon said that they hope to “Advance to the next level. We were really close last year and I hope to break that barrier”. 

The Mock Trial Team’s season lasts three weeks in January, in which they compete against three other schools. Last year the team had a 2-1 record, which was a major improvement from the previous year, but it wasn’t enough to get them into regionals. However this year, Gordon and the rest of the team are adamant that this season has a different ending. 

Gordon, who is entering his third year on the team, was originally interested because of a connection to another interest of his. “I was a part of NHS Theater and I thought it would go well with that”, said Gordon when discussing why he joined the team. 

The Mock Trial Team is currently looking for new members, and they think that certain theater skills might be easily transferable to the courtroom.

 If a student is interested in learning more about Mock Trial, they should reach out to Ms. Martin in room 228. Students can join anytime, but “Some time before mid October would be best” according to Gordon. 

A lot seems to be happening this month at Newburyport High School, with many clubs, teams and other activities beginning their years. With groups like the Student Council and Mock Trial Team setting up shop, students will have plenty of options when it comes to after school activities. 

Tom Mettling