Minisink Valley Central School District > District News > High School’s Mock Trial Team advances to NYS Mock Trial Region 4 Tournament’s elimination round
Posted on by nancy.kriz

High School’s Mock Trial Team advances to NYS Mock Trial Region 4 Tournament’s elimination round

mock trial team

mock trial posterThe high school’s Mock Trial Team is advancing to the single elimination round of the 2024 New York State Mock Trial Region 4 Tournament, after earning enough points to do so at the March 16 regional tournament held at Orange-Ulster BOCES.

For months, the mock trial team prepared remarks for an arson criminal case, which was prepared by the New York State Bar Association. They presented their interpretation of this case in a courtroom before a county judge.

To prepare for the tournament, each school has teacher-coaches as well as local attorneys working with them to help them with the nuances of the courtroom and presentation skills,  an experience which is not available in a classroom setting.  The winner of the county tournament goes on to regionals with the possibility of going to the state tournament.

mock trail student

The team was led by advisors/coaches Jonathan Grady and Ezra Clementson.  Team members are:  Brandon Alwine, Sean Bellew, Jon Bubilo, Ryan Capo, Shannon Devine, Julia Frost, Callie Hitt, Malunga Kinzonzi, Wesley Mardyniak, Alexis Montgomery and  Julia Wodzinski.   

“We appreciate the continued support of our program by our attorney consultants Michael Wolfe and Len Kessler,” said Mr. Clementson. “We also thank the honorable Amanda Brady, Goshen town justice, who ruled in our first round case.”

The New York State High School Mock Trial Program is a joint venture of The New York Bar Foundation, the New York State Bar Association, and the Law, Youth and Citizenship Program. In this educational program, high school students gain first-hand knowledge of civil/criminal law and courtroom procedures. Thousands of students participate each year.

Tournament objectives are to teach students ethics, civility, and professionalism; further students’ understanding of the law, court procedures and the legal system; improve proficiency in basic life skills, such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning; promote better communication and cooperation among the school community, teachers and students and members of the legal profession, and heighten appreciation for academic studies and stimulate interest in law-related careers.