Melissa Holland is one of the Huntington High School mock trial team’s essential members. She has been playing the role of prosecuting witness in this year’s courtroom campaign and the teenager has performed in spectacular fashion.
Corresponding secretary of the school-wide student government, Ms. Holland has participated in the mock trial program since her sophomore year. She joined the club popularly known by the acronym AWOD (A World of Difference) as a junior.
Among the senior’s spring semester classes are Creative Video II, Participation in Government, Humanities and Financial Algebra. Ms. Holland started her long trek through the Huntington School District in a kindergarten classroom at Jefferson Primary School.
A veteran participant in Huntington’s mock trial program, Ms. Holland has contributed to the team’s success over the years. “I decided to join mock trial as a sophomore because at that time I was interested in acting out as a witness and bringing life to the character I’m assigned,” she said. “Whether it’s a free-range day care operator or a biased English teacher. I also used to watch a lot of court cases and crime shows on television so my interest in those types of shows also led me to join.”
Ms. Holland has been shifting through college possibilities in recent months. “The New School is my number one choice and I should know if I get accepted by the end of the month,” the senior said. Thompkins Cortland Community College and Marymount Manhattan College are also under consideration.
“As of right now, I plan to continue studying digital cinema/film in college as I have been actively doing since entering the high school video arts program with Ms. [Heather] Swan in eleventh grade,” Ms. Holland said.
As she readies her plans to continue her education after graduating in June, Ms. Holland set aside some time to reflect on the past four years.
“My time at Huntington High School has been very eventful and has helped me grow into the person I am now, thanks to the many teachers and aides that have helped me,” Ms. Holland said.
“I feel very lucky to have been a student here at Huntington High, since there really aren’t many other schools out there with the amount of activities, clubs, courses, AP classes and even field trips that our school has. It’s been a good experience overall.”