The mock trial team at Maine South High School placed among the top 10 – out of more than about four dozen others – in a recent competition held at a federal court in downtown Chicago. The team finished in ninth place at the Empire World Championships. They competed against 45 other teams from around the world, including from 15 states and five countries, according to information Maine Township High School District 207 provided. The competition held in November marked the fourth year the Maine South team has participated. “It is definitely the toughest competition that we face all year,” said Kyra Demos, a Maine South senior. The Maine South High School mock trial team placed ninth overall at the World Championship mock trial competition held Nov. 8-11, 2024 in Chicago. (Courtesy Maine Township High School District 207) Maine South, located in Park Ridge, is one of three high schools in District 207. School officials said the team started in the summer to prepare for the competition. They presented their case in four different trials from Nov. 9 to Nov. 11. While the team won ninth place overall, senior Charlotte Chapman snagged first place for “Best Attorney.” “The tournament was a great experience for our team; they worked hard, competed against some highly-ranked teams, and had the pretty unique experience of conducting trials in the federal courthouse downtown,” Don McArthur-Self, the Maine South mock trial team coach, told Pioneer Press in a statement. “They gave it their best effort and were thrilled to be in the top ten.” The host of the competition, Empire Mock Trial, is an education nonprofit that started as a father and son project in 2007, according to the organization’s website. The nonprofit expanded over the years, including changing to its current name that pays homage to its founding location of New York City. The Maine South mock trial team members said the team is working to develop the younger team members “to ensure a strong team for the future.” The team has set a goal for the rest of the season to place in the top 10 at state competition, and they have set their sights on even winning state, officials said.