The upstart Huntington High School mock trial team is in the midst of its final preparations for the New York State championships in Albany on May 13-15. The Blue Devils earlier captured the Suffolk crown and now have their eyes on the biggest prize of all.
Huntington has one of the youngest mock trial programs in the state, but the Blue Devils are also one of the best. Legal advisors Xavier Palacios, John LoTurco and Jack Piana have spent untold hours working with team members on this year’s case along with their presentation skills and legal strategies. Faculty advisors Sarah Buchalter and Suzie Biagi have helped coordinate the team’s activities and handled important details behind the scenes.
“The Huntington High School mock trial team has made enormous strides in its first few years as a result of its dedicated members, advisors and mentors, as well as its thorough preparation,” Superintendent James W. Polansky said. “In brief, the team’s success is no surprise based on the time put in by its members and how much they genuinely enjoy participating. We wish the group well in Albany; they are well prepared for this moment! Special thanks to volunteer mentor attorneys Xavier Palacios, John LoTurco and Jack Piana for their ongoing mentorship commitment.”
The Blue Devil mock trial team was honored last week at Huntington Town Hall.
W. Tresper Clarke High School of Nassau County won last year’s state championship. Regis High School in Manhattan was the runner-up. Huntington is heading north with high hopes, but team members know they will be up against many of the brightest and most able students in the state as they take their places in the courtroom next week.
Teams and their coaches will be staying in the Hilton Albany in downtown Albany. The trials will be held in the United States District Court - James T. Foley Federal Courthouse at 445 Broadway.
Then Huntington High School senior Justin LoTurco founded Huntington’s mock trial team during the 2014/15 school year. The team’s first victory came in February 2015 when it toppled Mattituck. The Blue Devils have enjoyed stunning success since then, culminating in this year’s county championship. Mr. LoTurco also continues to be successful in his own right. The Huntington alum is entering his senior year at Duke University. He’s interning with Goldman Sachs this summer in Manhattan.
Huntington’s legal team consists of attorneys Max Robins, Alyssa Befumo, John Panos and Lia Shechter. The Blue Devils’ lineup of witnesses includes Claudia Villatoro, Riley Tucker, Lena Annuniziata, Melissa Lopez, Isabella Floro, Joseph Mead, Rory Bocelli and Ana Diaz.
“The whole team has put in countless hours as the state championship approaches,” Ms. Annunziata said. “We are all so excited to have been the first Huntington mock trial team to have made it this far in competition. I know that if we continue to work as hard as we have the state championship will be ours. Ours coaches could not have helped us more these past few weeks. Whether it’s getting us real judges to practice in front of or just going over our material continuously to prepare us for anything that could happen during trial.”
Huntington’s roster is filled with talented teenagers. Team members complement each other’s strengths and are supportive and tightknit as a whole. They work late into the night and on weekends, developing a game plan for each match. The team is completely undefeated this year.
“Getting involved with the mock trial team could possibly be one of the best choices I’ve ever made; especially because I want to pursue a legal career,” Ms. Annunziata said. “It has taught me so much about our criminal justice system and the value of hard work and dedication. The best part about the club is that the whole team has grown so close which has made the experience so much better. I look forward to my next two years as a part of the team.”
The Huntington mock trial team is always looking for new members to join the fold. Students should feel free to speak with one of the faculty advisors and express interest in coming aboard.
“In this educational program, co-sponsored by the New York Bar Foundation, high school students have the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge of civil/criminal law and courtroom procedures,” according to the NYBF website. “Thousands of students participate each year. Objectives of the tournament 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.”