Bemidji High Mock Trial wins season opener, hosts public meet today

Bemidji High School’s Mock Trial team opened its 2026 season with a victory over Albany High School at a meet held Jan. 8 at the Wadena County Courthouse, a result that underscores the program’s standing as the defending Region 2 champion. Individual honors from that meet included Nina Bergey earning best attorney and Brynn Klaers taking best witness, signaling strong individual development that complements the team’s regional pedigree.

The team will bring that momentum home with a meet scheduled for 1 p.m. today, Tuesday, Jan. 13, at the Beltrami County Courthouse. The event is open to the public, offering residents a chance to see student attorneys and witnesses practice courtroom procedures run by the Minnesota State Bar Association. For local families, teachers and civic leaders, the meet is both a community event and a window into the skills students are gaining in public speaking, legal reasoning and evidence-based argumentation.

Coaches Jeff Aas, Bill Joyce, Tom Kuesel and Katie Nolting guide the squad, maintaining continuity that has helped Bemidji sustain competitive results at the regional level. Mock Trial programs like Bemidji’s are often a feeder into collegiate debate teams, legal studies and civic careers; locally, visible performances at the Beltrami County Courthouse can strengthen ties between the high school and the regional legal community. That connection matters for Beltrami County because courthouse events draw visitors, showcase civic institutions and expose young people to potential career paths in law, public service and government.

From an educational policy perspective, extracurriculars that emphasize analytic reasoning and public presentation produce measurable benefits in college readiness and workforce skills. For Bemidji schools, continued support for Mock Trial can translate into higher student engagement and clearer pipelines into higher education and legal professions, which in turn influence local labor market quality over time.

The immediate takeaway for residents is straightforward: you can watch Bemidji’s defending Region 2 champions compete at the Beltrami County Courthouse at 1 p.m. today. Our two cents? Stop by if you can — it’s a short civic investment that supports students, strengthens community ties to the courthouse and gives young people real courtroom experience that pays off beyond high school.