Mock trial success has led to rewards in real life for A.C. Reynolds senior Reilly Rousseau. She has received the M. Gordon Widenhouse/Rebecca J. Britton Scholarship and Award for Inspirational Team Leadership from the North Carolina Mock Trial Association.
The award, named for the competition's first program chairperson and its longtime director, is given to a student who has displayed tremendous skill in leading a mock trial team through the season. A-B Tech instructor Jennifer Turner, who teaches the Criminal Justice courses at Reynolds, says Reilly truly embodies the spirit of the award.
“After all the changes we have experienced in our community from Hurricane Helene, the students on my teams needed this competition, the social benefits of the club, and the general sense of well-being to be able to move on,” Ms. Turner shared. “Reilly brought us all together before classes resumed, giving us all a chance to hug, take a deep breath, and realize that we are all going to be ok.”
The challenges the community faced from the hurricane made Reilly appreciate her mock trial teammates.
“I made sure that everyone on my team was okay,” said Reilly. “We did team bonding experiences and spent the entire night talking about our lives, not just mock trials but our personal lives. We all became best friends, even family. I could never have met these amazing people without the mock trial and the great opportunity of being team captain this year. I have a second family that I can ask for anything anytime and vice-versa.”
Reilly’s award includes a $1,000 college scholarship.