These answers have been edited for clarity.

Solon’s Mock Trial team competed in the Ohio Center For Law-Related Education (OCLRE) 2025 High School Mock Trial State Competition from March 6-8. Advisor Robert Rivera and Club President Pan Qi are back from competing in the case of Denver Saidi v. Wyatt Latu after judges ruled in favor of Archbishop Hoban High School.

President Pan Qi talks about her experiences from Mock Trial and how she feels as president.

Q: How is the club structured with you being president?

A: The structure of Mock Trial as an officer, we organize the club, but we also have our own teams. When we’re in our own teams, we’re just team members, we’re helping each other out. We all make mistakes. So, as an officer, it’s really just organizing the club and making sure there is structure. Apart from that, it’s just good teamwork.

Q: Have you noticed the team improved from the beginning of the year and have they met the goals that you guys set for yourselves?

A: Well, our goals we set for ourselves are to advance [as far] as we can. And I would say in the beginning of a year, as every team does, we’re less organized, and our [trials] were not as prepared or well rounded. We have questions [for each other], we’re cross-examining questions, and they are not really concise or straight to the point, and it’s just pretty clear that as more competitions we have [the better the process goes], which started from Case Westerns Invitational, then we got to Ohio Buckeye Brawl, and then we advanced to districts. But basically, by the time of district, we’re pretty set, we have a general idea and we want to communicate with cross-questions, and just overall it’s just getting better with factors.

Q: Have you noticed any improvements within yourself from when you started up until now?

A: Definitely. So in the beginning of the year, I would feel like my closing [statement] [didn’t] really address [that] I’m on the plaintiff’s side, [now] our factors and our goals are [clearer]. As we advance later into the season, and I have many different drafts, I’m [now] the kind of person [who] likes to write out all possible responses or elements of my closing before, rather than just doing it during the competition. So I feel like my closing is getting more concise and to the point.

Q: Is there any advice you give to underclassmen regarding Mock Trial?

A: I would say it really does come with practice. Like with every other club, in the beginning of a year, there is a huge learning curve from a trial. Your first year, you’re gonna be completely in the dark. You’ll be really confused, you’ll be looking at [and] staring at legal jargon and complicated structured sentences that don’t really make sense. But once you get over that learning curve, it’s gonna be very fascinating. The cases, they’re all interesting, and you get to do it with your teammates. And the best part is when you’re in an overnight hotel, and you’re trying to top each other’s voices or like, fighting over an objection or a cross-question. That is, the best memories.

Rivera offers more information on the competition and program below.