Blue Devils Win Courtroom Thriller on Senior Day

Faced with a “must win” courtroom battle on Senior Day in the School Heritage Museum, the Blue Devil mock trial team rose to the occasion and toppled visiting West Islip to improve to 2-1 this winter.

Huntington’s legal eagles found themselves and the program in uncharted territory. “Not only was it the first ever senior night for our six graduating upperclassmen, but it was also the first time these seniors have ever been in a ‘must win’ scenario during the regular season, after starting 1-1 on the year,” said Bryan Outsen, who serves as co-faculty advisor along with Suzi Biagi. Attorney and Huntington alum Xavier Palacios is the team’s legal advisor.

After making role adjustments and having extensive practice over the break, Huntington took the stage on the defense side and welcomed West Islip as the plaintiff in the case of Leslie Manns vs Sandy Townes.

“All six seniors were on display for this match and in true Blue Devil fashion, rose to the occasion,” Mr. Outsen said. “Nina Fascilla, working in a new role this week, set the tone early delivering an impressive opening statement that accurately highlighted the immense burden in place for the plaintiff. She was in complete control of her witness on cross examination, dominating the pace and tone of the testimony, and her direct examination was superb, garnering zero objections from the opposing bench.”

That witness was Huntington sophomore Julia King, (the team’s only underclassmen participating in this match-up), who showed she belonged among the senior starters. “She showed poise, control, and intelligence on cross in the role of high school teacher Jamie King, and showcased her unique perspective of the defendant on direct,” Mr. Outsen said.

Senior Natalie Parrot, also in a new role on the opposite side of the case, showed impressive legal prowess in her technical voi dire of West Islip’s expert witness. On cross examination she had a 67 percent success rate on objections and showcased a great rapport with her new witness on direct examination.

Ms. Parrot’s witness was senior Ludo Cattano, who embodied the defense’s expert witness Fran Gates, showing off his encyclopedic knowledge of complex computer science and IT infrastructure on direct examination. On cross, he showed great restraint fielding open ended questions and getting out important points of view regarding AI abilities.

“Isabella Carrecia-Johnson stole the show as she usually does,” Mr. Outsen said. “After a dominating cross examination of their lead witness and a flawless direct examination, Isabella delivered a masterful closing statement that left the opposing bench, and the crowd, in awe. She clearly highlighted the plaintiff did not meet a single piece of their burden and recapped all the testimony and facts of the case seamlessly.”

Her witness, senior Lizzy James, was flawless in the role of lead defense witness Sandy Townes, charming the judge as a high school student that was unfairly targeted by a shady superintendent. “She used her usual flair for the dramatics to navigate an aggressive cross examination from a seasoned opposing attorney, even blocking an impeachment attempt with ease,” Mr. Outsen said.

When all the arguments had run their course, Judge Joel Salinger ruled in favor of Huntington and the defense, making numerous comments about how all members of the team have an exciting and bright future in law in the future.

“While a big win for the team, this also marked a sad and momentous night as the last home match for our six seniors: Isabella Carrecia-Johnso, Nina Fascilla, Elizabeth James, Natalie Parrot, Vincenza Garofalo and Ludo Cattano,” Mr. Outsen said. They have showcased an impressive 27-4 record over the last four years, with two undefeated regular seasons, three county championship appearances, two county championship wins, one state finals competition appearance, and the title of No. 1 Public School in New York State in 2022/23.”

Parents and family members jammed into the School Heritage Museum to watch the trial play out and then to celebrate Huntington’s special six seniors.

“It has truly been an honor watching these six not only perfect their craft but garner extraordinary recognition to the Huntington Blue Devil Mock trial program,” Mr. Outsen said. “They have truly reinvigorated my love for this sport and have inspired Ms. Biagi and myself to be a better coaches year in and year out. We are extremely proud of them and they will truly be missed in the future.”