H-ton Mock Trial Team Welcomes New Members

Huntington High School’s perennial county powerhouse mock trial team is searching for new members to fill out its ranks as it seeks to once again reach the pinnacle in the state.

A second floor classroom was filled to capacity during a recent after school mock trial club interest meeting. Club advisors and veteran members provided potential new members with an overview of the mock trial program.

The club is led by co-presidents Nina Fascilla and Isabella Careccia-Johnson, vice president Elizabeth James and secretary Natalie Parrott.

In the first decade of the program’s existence, the Blue Devil courtroom warriors have proved formidable, including winning multiple county championships and placing among the best in New York at the state finals.

A very strong squad is set to return. There are also spots for newcomers to fill and new those faces will be welcomed by the team’s veterans, faculty advisors and legal mentors.

Students with an interest in public speaking, law and criminal procedures are encouraged to considering joining the team.

Now in its 11th year of existence, the Huntington courtroom team is expected to again challenge for top county honors. 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.

Participating schools have a schedule of four regular season matches before the top 16 teams enter the Suffolk tournament. Teams across New York follow a similar path along the way to determining a state champion. It is expected that this year’s case will be concern civil law since last year’s covered a criminal case.

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.

Huntington alum and attorney Xavier Palacios is the team’s volunteer legal advisor. Faculty advisors Suzi Biagi and Bryan Outsen help coordinate the team’s activities and handle important behind the scenes details.

The mock trial courtroom in the School Heritage Museum at the high school serves as the home base for the Blue Devils.

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 remarkable success since then, culminating in several county championships.

Interested in learning more about Huntington’s mock trial program or ready to sign-on as a team member? Send an email message to either Ms. Biagi (sbiagi@hufsd.edu) or Mr. Outsen (boutsen@hufsd.edu) to start the ball rolling.