What’s recently happened?
Within the past month, the Riley High School (RHS) Mock Trial Program has put together a team of young and educated students who wish to see and be a part of the competitive side of law. This program gives a real-life feel for how a courtroom is run, giving students the opportunity to participate as a witness or an attorney.
This is the first time since 2014 that RHS has had a Mock Trial Team. The team is run by Teachers Kevin Tholin and Richard Harman, who are both social studies teachers with a wide array of knowledge about mock trials and how to properly argue the cases. Additionally, Senior Danica Szabo had an interest in mock trials, and was responsible for putting the program together. The program is being co-run by Isabella Renteria, another passionate senior bringing something new to RHS.
The RHS Mock Trial Team will face other teams across the state, one of them being its biggest city rivals, John Adams High School. Adams and RHS are constantly competing in many areas of sports and academic competitions. The rivalry runs deep due to the fact that RHS and Adams are five minutes apart while also being located on the South side of South Bend.
In recent years, many new clubs have ignited throughout RHS, bringing forth a lot more involvement from the student population to fit a variety of styles and personalities. Now at RHS, there is something for everyone, whether it be Restorative Justice, Ignite Club (gay-straight alliance), or now the Mock Trial Team. The abundance of involvement is ever-increasing, with underclassmen stepping up to take leadership positions since the mostly senior-led clubs will be left without any of their seniors by the end of the school year.
What’s coming up?
Final nominations for the Winter Homecoming King are being put in with winter break right around the corner. RHS has two homecomings every year, one in the fall for girls, and one in the winter for boys.
The winter Homecoming game will be held in January and is an event that a lot of RHS students get involved in. It’s filled with many events, such as hallway decorating and games played by the students at the pep rally. After the Class Cabinet finishes the hallway decorating, a committee of teachers gets to vote on which hallway and floor was decorated the best. The class that wins gets bragging rights for the rest of the year.
The theme for homecoming this year is musicals and every class has a different one. This time of the year is also so exciting as it helps bring the RHS community together.
Staff spotlight:
Heidi Darren is a life skills teacher who implemented the use of an emotional service dog named Milo this year.
While Milo is an amazing addition to the RHS community, Darren is more than just her dog. She is a nationally recognized exceptional needs specialist.
“I am one of 300 nationally recognized teachers in Indiana. I believe I might even be the first one in South Bend, at least for my group of teachers,” said Darren.
Darren is known for giving a helping hand as well as being there to talk to students when needed. Darren also has an Instagram account where she showcases her classes because she is overwhelmingly proud of them.
Darren also started the Best Buddies program at RHS, which is a program that creates bonds between students who have disabilities and those without. The program in turn helps both students create better social skills, making Darren an impactful person for the RHS community.
Student spotlight:
Danica Szabo joins the top of her class in ranking, all while being a member of multiple clubs, such as the Mock Trial Team, Class Cabinet, Student Council, the tennis team, the Science Olympiad, and the Quiz Bowl team.
“I wanted to create a Mock Trial Team to create a more diverse community because most of our clubs are STEM-based. I want to push a more diverse community in what people can pursue, such as the arts,” said Szabo.
No matter what Szabo has going on in her life, she always has the biggest smile on her face and constantly tries to make others laugh. Szabo continues to strive for greatness and has pushed herself to go further than what she thought was possible.
Szabo wants to go to college and has pushed herself to get into schools, such as the University of Notre Dame. The Mock Trial program that she has created has sparked so much interest and has created an even better community at RHS. She not only has done amazing things to benefit and help others, but she also has created a life for herself that will lead to her imminent success.