Mock Trial Team's first year a success

 

Amsterdam High School's Mock Trial Team ended its first year of competition with one win and two close loses.

The team participated in the annual High School Mock Trial Tournament, sponsored by the New York State Bar Association. In a mock trial, teams argue legal cases against each other in front of judges and other legal experts, who then decide the winner.

AHS competed against Canajoharie, Fonda-Fultonville and Ft. Plain at the Montgomery County Courthouse. The winner, Canajoharie, advanced to the regional tournament.

AHS team members are: Seniors Caitlin Bartman, Amanda DeLeon, Heather Graff, Evelyn Marreo, Ben Marsh and Paul Singh; sophomores Japreet Kaur, Manprett Kaur, Emily Lorman and Tyler Morrone; and freshman Jonathan Wavres.

In the team's first trial, AHS represented the plaintiffs in a negligence case against Fonda –Fultonville, and won 65-63. In its next trial, against Canajoharie, AHS represented the defendants in the same negligence case. Canajoharie narrowly defeated AHS, 61-59, but AHS advanced to the second round because the team had the second highest score in the competition at that point.

AHS lost its next case, once again to Canajoharie and once again by just two points. However, team members weren't discouraged, especially once they learned that Canajoharie offers a mock trial class as a social studies elective, said Heather Graff.

"We came away from the competition feeling very proud of ourselves," she said. Graff added that Judge Guy Tomlinson, the team's legal adviser, deserved a great deal of credit and thanks.

"He was readily available to answer questions and his legal advice was critical to the team's success," Graff said. "We are truly thankful for his assistance."

The team is losing its six seniors, so it is now soliciting students who are enthusiastic, interested in the legal system and have a flair for the dramatic.

The team will meet at the beginning of the 2008-09 school year to organize its members and familiarize them with the legal terminology needed to be successful.

Students who are interested in joining the Mock Trial Team next year should email Lisa Liverio, the team's faculty adviser, at lliverio@gasd.org.