With the first courtroom battle set for this week, the Huntington High School mock trial team spent the weekend preparing to confront Southampton in the first legal match of the 2022 season.
This year’s lineup features many seasoned courtroom veterans along with a cast of very promising newcomers. Members of the group have been meeting to review skills and techniques associated with serving as prosecuting and defending attorneys as well as witnesses.
How to pose and answer questions, think quickly on your feet and develop concise, clear and hard-hitting arguments have all been covered during prep sessions.
“The team is doing really well,” freshman Nina Fascilla said. “We have our first competition this Wednesday so we’ve been rigorously preparing for that. I’m super excited to get into competing. The team, especially the seniors, have been so nice and helpful toward me.”
Attorneys Xavier Palacios and John LoTurco serve as the Blue Devils’ volunteer legal advisors. Suzie Biagi and Gregory Dieterich are the team’s faculty advisors.
As is annually the case, the Blue Devils are devoting an enormous number of hours to mastering all aspects of this year’s statewide case. “Everyone has worked very hard and it’s going to be great to see all that effort pay off,” senior Sophie Laserson said.
Weekly matches will run through March 2. The top 16 teams will vie in weekly playoff rounds. The county championship trial is scheduled for March 30. The state finals will be held in Albany on May 22-24.
Huntington High School’s mock trial team has a well-earned reputation for its exquisite pre-trial preparation.
“Unfortunately, for our first competition, we are competing virtually due to the other team having a conflict with COVID-19,” senior Ashley Genao said. “That doesn’t set us back. It’s amazing seeing how resilient this team is despite everything going on and having to walk through a lot of unknowns this season. Everyone one on the team is working extremely hard, especially our advisors/coaches. I’m excited for our first competition and the rest of season to come.”
Huntington will square off in regular season trials against Southampton, Bay Shore, Brentwood and Babylon.
“Our team is very excited to start our competitive season against Southampton,” senior Jillian LoTurco said. “We have great team chemistry with many seniors and numerous freshmen. I think once again we will be highly competitive in our quest to achieve another county championship.”
The team’s “practice” sessions are long and tiring, but the teenagers look forward to them and so do their advisors.
“Unfortunately, our first competition this week will be virtual due to COVID-19 complications, but nevertheless I believe we will come out on top,” senior Emily Geller said. “Everyone is working extremely hard to prepare for the upcoming competitions and I can’t wait to see how our season plays out.”
All of the practice, dating back to last September has boosted Huntington’s confidence.
“Mock trial is off to a great start this year,” senior Molly Fallon said. “We have a lot of new members on the team this year so we have spent a lot of time honing our skills. The team has worked really hard these past few weeks and we are excited for the start of the competition season!”