SS Seward’s Mock Trial team performed well during a March 22 competition at Orange-Ulster BOCES that propelled it to the April 5 four single-elimination trials.
Seward students argued cases in mock courtrooms before real Orange County judges for the first time in over 25 years. The Board of Education supported adding Mock Trial as an extracurricular activity in the budget due to student interest and the yearning for competitive offerings of other county schools.
“We were all definitely a little nervous,” Mock Trial president and senior Jackie Tomassi recalled. “It was the first time any of us had ever done a mock trial.”
The first trial saw Seward represent the plaintiff in the “Leyton Manns vs. Sandy Townes” case while Minisink Valley represented the defendants. While Judge Amanda Brady ruled in favor of the defense, Seward won the matchup based on total points scored, bringing Seward’s record for the day to 1-0.
“It was a very exciting moment,” Junior Tahnia-Marie Rucker, who portrayed an expert witness, said. “Since it was our first year, it was great to know that all of our hard work had paid off and made us realize our true potential.”
Mock Trial adviser Dom Pascullo credited students for their hard work to prepare for the case.
“For months, the students analyzed the case—creating questions, crafting opening and closing statements, examining evidence and working with their attorney advisors to perfect their arguments,” Pascullo said. “Some students played the roles of witnesses instead of attorneys, diligently studying their affidavits and preparing to answer questions from both their team and the opposing side.”
The second round saw Seward students work on the same case, but this time as defendants and with a different judge. Seward won the case, but lost the overall competition in the closest matchup of the day decided by one point. The Seward team finished fifth out of 13 teams with a 1-1 record based on overall record and point differential.
“They were filled with such a sense of pride and happiness, knowing that all those long hours were worth it,” Pascullo said about his students. “I am so proud of them—not just for the result, but for the work ethic they showed each day.”
Tomassi described the experience as fun and informative.
“I think everyone did amazing and really exceeded expectations,” Tomassi said. “As a senior, it made me wish we had started this club years ago.”
The team will face defending champions Goshen High School along with any future matchups in the trials, to be held at Orange-Ulster BOCES, where it intends to improve its weaknesses and enhance its strengths. Freshman Virginia Clark, a Seward student attorney, looks forward to competing against a school with a successful track record.