The Huntington High School mock trial team likes winning. The attorneys, witnesses, volunteer legal advisors and faculty advisors all thrive on it. It’s fun and it makes the hundreds of hours of preparation more than worth it.
The Blue Devils are undefeated in the 2022 and riding a wave of success, which included topping Ward Melville for the Suffolk crown last week. Now Huntington’s legal wizards are eyeing the state title, which will be contested in Albany on May 22-24.
Huntington mock trial team captain Christopher Maichin
“Words cannot describe how happy I am for this team,” said senior Christopher Maichin. “This year has been a labor of love and this county championship win was truly the culmination of four years of hard work and determination for us seniors. Everyone contributed to this win, working long hours and late nights, which inched us closer and closer to this county final victory.”
Mr. Maichin and fellow senior attorney Emily Geller are the Blue Devils’ captains. Xavier Palacios and John LoTurco are the legal advisors and Suzi Biagi and Greg Dieterich are the faculty advisors.
Huntington always has a healthy degree of respect for every opponent. There is no over confidence in the Blue Devil ranks. But the team also devote the time required to go toe-to-toe with the best in Suffolk and the state.
“Ward Melville was by far the best team we have seen all year,” Mr. Maichin said. “They were our toughest competition and put up a real fight, but throughout the ups and downs that many of these trials have had, our lawyers and witnesses continued to stay ‘calm, cool, collected, confident, poised, and professional,’ in the words of Mr. LoTurco.”
Now in its eighth year of existence, the Huntington courtroom team has won all eight of its match-ups this season. The mock trial competition is sponsored by the New York State Bar Association Foundation. The initiative seeks to enhance participant’s public speaking skills and inspire some to consider a legal career.
“We didn’t let anything throw us off our game against Ward Melville, which led to our victory,” Mr. Maichin said “We wouldn’t be able to have done this without our coaches, Xavier Palacios and John LoTurco. They have been the greatest teachers and mentors these past four years and we wouldn’t be close to the team we are now without them. Their professionalism, drive, knowledge and love for the law and this team has helped me to discover my direction and find a passion. They developed me as a leader and helped me find my voice. I can’t wait for the Suffolk County champs to take on New York State. Onward and upward!”
Participating mock trial teams have a schedule of four regular season matches before the top 16 enter the Suffolk tournament. Teams across New York follow a similar path along the way to determining a state champion.
The New York State Bar Assn. Foundation believes the mock trial program “teaches students ethics, civility and professionalism; furthers students’ understanding of the law, court procedures and the legal system; improves proficiency in basic life skills, such as listening, speaking, reading and reasoning; promotes better communication and cooperation among the school community, teachers and students and members of the legal profession, and; heightens appreciation for academic studies and stimulate interest in law-related careers.”
Students learn about the rule of law; rules of evidence; proper courtroom decorum; legal terminology and civic responsibility and attitude. Participation fosters respect for the law and the legal system and an ability to view an issue from differing viewpoints.