It was a case of split verdicts for Huntington UFSD SEARCH program sixth graders who participated in Western Suffolk BOCES’ annual mock trial competition last week.
Each participating district receives a full trial in December/January with instructions on preparing elementary and middle school students. The trial is an adaptation of those prepared by the New York State Bar Association for its yearly high school competition.
![The Huntington SEARCH students dressed for their roles.](../../../assets/images/2022/march/cameo-29c.jpg)
The Huntington SEARCH students dressed for their roles.
Districts spend weeks preparing both a plaintiff and defense side of the case. A team consists of six plaintiffs and six defense participants. Two training sessions are scheduled for teachers. The program culminates in a one-day mock trial tournament in the spring.
“Our witnesses and lawyers looked their best and delivered outstanding performances in the mock trial competition,” SEARCH teacher Jessica Risalvato said. “Jack Abrams’ defense team put up a great fight against Massapequa’s plaintiff, but ultimately couldn’t prove their defendant’s innocence in the case. Woodhull’s plaintiff team went up against West Babylon’s defense and the judge sided in our favor for an exciting win!”
The following SEARCH program sixth graders participated in the mock trial competition:
Plaintiff (Woodhull): Kellen Anderson, Cecelia Lee, Helena Sullivan, Gavin Kline, Emily McCarthy, Elisabetta Arra
Defense (Jack Abrams STEM): Luisa Mackey, Max Manu, Sawyer Davis, Kevin Harris, Billy Oliva, Shane LeGrow, Emma Martin
“The competition was certainly tough as both teams went up against middle school students,” Ms. Risalvato said. “Our case was Celine Kovics vs. The Oars Beachcomber; a civil case in which Celine was suing The Oars Beachcomber beach club for negligence due to injuries she sustained at a graduation party.”
Huntington UFSD SEARCH program fifth graders will be participating in an in-school mock trial event in their respective building in the coming days. SEARCH fifth graders at Woodhull be battle in the courtroom on Wednesday, April 6 while their Jack Abrams STEM Magnet School counterparts will spar in their building on Thursday, April 7.