On March 19, the HTH Mock Trial Team attended the Long Island Mock Trial Tournament at Western Suffolk Community College.
This year's team consists of eighth graders Aaqil Ali, Jonah Greenberg, Ava Marie Ferguson, Aloren Lespinasse, Franco Maraud, Adaley Deonarine, Scarlet Minnick, Ella Kelch, Isabella McClean, Aiden Ramos, Maya Verost and Cossandra Jenkins.
During the tournament, middle school teams from across Long Island competed in “mock” courtroom trials; each group was given the same case to study, review and analyze leading up to the competition. Each team was responsible for creating a group of “Plaintiff” lawyers, “Defense” lawyers, and corresponding witnesses for each side – all played by the students. Our students wrote their own opening and closing statements, as well as questions for their witnesses. Witnesses fully immersed themselves in their characters, having to memorize every detail of their lengthy testimonies.
Our Defense team defeated Westhampton, winning the case with a verdict of “not liable” for the mock assault and our Plaintiff team won in the “performance” category for their portrayal of courtroom roles, procedures and the level of accuracy for our witnesses.
Most importantly, the students truly enjoyed and took ownership of the process from start to finish - inspiring some to set goals of going into the legal field in the future!
