Blue Devil Mock Trial Team Preps for State Finals

The Huntington mock trial team is in the midst of early preparations for the state championship tournament. The Blue Devils swept through the regular season and county playoffs without a loss, toppling Northport in the Suffolk finals.

Sponsored by the New York State Bar Association, the state tournament is set for May 21-23 at the Hilton Albany. Huntington was last year’s state runner-up.

Huntington alum Xavier Palacios is the Blue Devils’ legal advisor, helping students analyze this year’s case from every angle and assisting team members in the development of strategies and lines of questioning for both sides of the case; plaintiff and defense. Hundreds of hours have been devoted to rehearsing lawyers and witnesses. The team’s faculty advisors are teachers Suzi Biagi and Brian Outsen.

After edging Northport in the Suffolk finals, Huntington team members were elated, but immediately starting looking ahead. The Blue Devils intend to make a strong run at the state title.

“We’re all quite excited regarding the state championship tournament,” senior Angie Hernandez-Ramos said. “Given that it’s in person this year we’re thrilled that we can keep up a similar style of practice leading up the tournament. This is the third time that Huntington is going to states and the second time we’re actually going up to Albany so the intense pressure is still on. Honestly, I am so proud of my team for how things have progressed up to this point and I have full confidence that we will go very far.”

Many more long hours and late nights await the Blue Devils as they prepare for the state finals in Albany. They team knows this and accepts it.

“This year’s team has become more than I ever imagined it could,” sophomore Nina Fascilla said. “In the beginning, we got many newcomers, so I knew that it was going to take a lot of hard work to pull off another county title. After months of analyzing the case, writing our material, practicing and preparing techniques, finding the role that worked best for each member and finally winning the county championship, we’ve decided to take about a month off before starting back up in preparation for states.”

That month off is already more than half over and students are starting back up. “In mock trial, we’re always changing material and trying new things, so the period leading up to states will be a lot of that. Although all of us are busy with things like sports and other activities, there’s been an amazing amount of dedication from all the team members. From the witnesses memorizing their roles up to the attorneys preparing material and testimony and practicing objections and rules. We’ll be working nearly every day either individually or as a team until we leave for Albany.”

While Huntington has been perfect thus far, it will need to be even better to overcome the other high powered squads that are also advancing to the state championship round.

“The team has already come this far so I don’t see why we shouldn’t be able to bring home a state title,” Ms. Fascilla said. “We may arguably be the underdogs at the state level, but I am confident that we can win as long as we continue to put in the work that we’ve already been committing. We wouldn’t be able to do any of this without our teacher advisors and especially our incredible attorney advisor/coach Mr. Palacios, who has generously spent an incredible amount of time and effort with the team and who pushes us to be our best. I’m not exactly sure what to expect at states, being that it was online last year, but I do know that I could not be more excited.”

To win the elusive state title, Huntington will need everyone to execute their role well.

“After many rounds of playoffs we’re ready to take on states in Albany,” sophomore Elizabeth James said. “We are taking a brief break to regroup so we don’t exhaust ourselves as these back to back weeks of competition and long practices can get overwhelming on top of school and extracurriculars. We are approaching the state championship tournament with the utmost confidence. During our competitions each individual is scored out of a five on direct examination, cross examination, opening statements and closing statements and as a team, an overarching score out of 10 for professionalism. Those qualities that make up a perfect five and 10 fall under our motto, which is the ‘Killer P’s:’ poise, professionalism, preparation, etc. While those are all important, teamwork is the only thing that can ensure us a state title. Over these last eight months the team has been working together, we have established an excellent rapport with each other that makes our work flawless. I’m so pleased to be a part of something so rewarding and cannot wait to bring home a state title in May.”

While the Blue Devils know there will be a lot on the line in Albany, they aren’t trying to overthink anything. Staying even-keeled remains vitally important.

“The team is approaching the state tournament the same way we approach all competitions, with lots of practice and preparation,” sophomore Isabella Careccia-Johnson said. “Everyone is completely committed to the team and we are dedicated to perfecting our performance. Huntington is hoping to achieve our goal of a state championship through hard work and by utilizing our resources to our advantage. This year has been amazing so far and I am excited for what’s still to come. I am so grateful for my amazing team members and coaches, as they have helped make this team what it is today.”