Spectacular Run for Huntington’s Mock Trial Seniors

A spectacular run by the Huntington High School mock trial team ended by the narrowest of margins in the Elite Eight round of the Suffolk mock trial tournament against second seeded Northport. The Blue Devils fell 63-62 in an abrupt ending to the careers of six exceptional seniors who helped carry the team to dizzying heights in recent years.

For the first time in five years, Huntington entered the courtroom in Central Islip as an underdog. Despite an inspiring performance against a very high powered Northport team, the Blue Devils were nipped by a single point.

Over the past four years, Huntington’s six current seniors compiled a record of 30-5 overall, including 15-1 during the regular season. The Blue Devils have reached the county championship match twice and captured one Suffolk crown. The team has also appeared in the state finals in Albany and finished as the No. 1 public school team.

Xavier Palacios has served as Huntington’s volunteer legal advisor, spending hundreds of hours over months prepping the team’s attorneys and witnesses. Business teachers Bryan Outsen and Suzi Biagi have worked tirelessly as the Blue Devils’ faculty advisors. Mr. Outsen’s mock trial experience dates all the way back to his high school years at William Floyd when he won the state championship.

“Nina Fascilla, Isabella Careccia-Johnson, Elizabeth James, Vincenza Garofalo, Natalie Parrott, and Ludo Cattano have all had very different roads that got them to this point of their mock trial careers,” Mr. Outsen said. “From my first day as coach three years ago, I was captivated by the dedication, intensity and joy these students had for this club. It has been almost 20 years since I myself was a high school mock trial state champion and seeing this group of kids really brought back the passion I had for the sport. From the late-night practices, unexpected victories, devastating judges decisions, off periods dedicated to testimony and the thousands of hours of re-writing closing and opening statements, it was truly an honor and a pleasure being their coach. I wish all of the seniors nothing but the best in their futures and I cannot wait to witness the amazing things that all of them will, without a doubt, accomplish. I will use everything I have learned from each of them to continue the legacy of this program for years to come. I promise to bring home a state championship for before I retire.”

Huntington has been a perennial Suffolk power for many years, thanks in no small part to its sensational six seniors. Ms. Biagi described the group as “incredible humans for sure” and said they “had our hearts since the minute they joined the team.”

Ms. Fascilla has been especially impressive. “She was writing to us even before she left Finley Middle School, so excited to be part of the team,” Ms. Biagi said. “She would come to scrimmages and often ask to see the current case even before her feet hit our hallways here at Huntington.  We knew she would be a leader among few and she did not disappoint either the team or the judges she testified and later litigated in front of.”

Ms. Careccia-Johnson, the Class of 2025 valedictorian jumped out to early success with the team, first as an impeccable witness and later as an attorney for both the prosecution and defense. “With her devotion to the team, intense organizational strategies and ‘forever smile,’ Izzy is more than a member; she is a role model and a friend to al,” said Ms. Biagi.

Ms. James is also leaving an indelible mark. “Lizzy is vivacious, magnanimous and always energized,” Ms. Biagi said. “She has always been a positive force, bringing humor, flexibility, common sense and humor to our hardworking and driven group. Lizzy has filled many different roles, sometimes in the same season, exploring both sides of the bar.”

Then there’s Ms. Parrott and Ms. Garofalo, who both started as sophomores in the role of witnesses. “They both brought logic, laughter, thoughtful analysis and even more energy to our mock trial family,” Ms. Biagi said.

Mr. Cattano joined the fold as a junior. “First stoic and reserved, he quickly blossomed into a talented witness in the last two years,” Ms. Biagi said.

All six seniors are moving on to college to pursue further academic goals and career dreams, many in the legal profession.

“Through it all, our senior mock trial family members have grown, matured and mentored our newest members, setting a high bar for what it means to be part of a team, Ms. Biagi said. “It’s a team that has spent more time together than many families; traveled together and grown together all while enhancing their skills in logical reasoning, public speaking and the law.”

Change is coming to the Huntington mock trial program as the seniors graduate and Mr. Palacios plans to step aside as the legal advisor.

“We will miss all our graduates so much, Mr. Outsen said. “Honestly, it’s like sending your own children off into the world. Both heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time.”