Mock Trial team wins Orange County Finals

After beating Chester and last year’s County winner, Marlboro, March 29, the Port Jervis Mock Trial team went on to beat Goshen in the County Finals on April 2 at the Orange County Courthouse in Goshen before Judge Jeffrey G. Berry.

As Orange County champions, the team will now advance to Regional Competition on May 3 in White Plains, NY.

All of the team's competitions were very close and won by only one point. Judge Christopher J. Turpin said during the semi-finals that he had never seen two such power house teams in his 10 years of participating in the Mock Trial program. He went on to compliment Port Jervis senior Sabrina LePage as giving the best closing he has ever heard in all his years of judging the competition.

The Mock Trial program is sponsored by Orange-Ulster BOCES and the Orange County Bar Association. It allows high school students to play the parts of attorneys in a fictional case. Students prepare to play both the roles of the plaintiffs and the defendants by studying affidavits received and court procedures. The program teaches students basic trial practice skills, such as how to conduct direct and cross examinations, as well as how to present opening and closing arguments. In addition, they are required to think on their feet and learn how to analyze legal issues and apply the law to the facts of the case. This year's case involved a hit and run after a senior party. Additionally, students learn ethics, civility, and how to be a zealous, but courteous, advocate for their clients.

Former Port Jervis graduate and current Orange County Assistant District Attorney, Amir Sadaghiani, has been intensively working with the team as attorney coach since the beginning of March. Mr. Sadaghiani brings his experience on the Moot Court Trial Team at the University of Notre Dame Law School, where he served two years as captain. Julie Nimal serves as the team's long time teacher advisor.

The last time the team from Port Jervis went to Regionals was in 2000. The 1996 team advanced to second in New York State Competition under the direction of Alice Lenahan and Glen Plotsky.

Team members taking part in the Finals were: Amanda Balch, Ben Gulla, Sabrina LePage,
Samantha LePage, Sierra Phillips, Nichole Russell, Robert Wilkins, and Julia Zenker. Congratulations to all!!

Port wins semi-final tournament
Judges praise Mock Trial team for preparedness

The Port Jervis High School Mock Trial Team advanced in the annual New York State Bar Association’s Mock Trial Tournament following decisive wins March 15 at the Orange County Courthouse in Goshen.

For the first time in several years, Port Jervis was seeded third, with decisive wins in Rounds I and II. Orange County Assistant District Attorney and Port Jervis graduate, Amir Sadaghiani, served as the team's attorney coach. Guidance Counselor Julie Nimal was their teacher advisor.

The Mock Trial program is sponsored by Orange-Ulster BOCES and the Orange County Bar Association. It allows high school students to play the parts of attorneys in a fictional case. Students prepare to play both the roles of the plaintiffs and the defendants by studying affidavits received and court procedures. Mr. Sadaghiani praised his team, half veteran seniors and half newly-recruited underclassmen. He said, "The kids worked hard and it paid off with the praise received from judges for their preparedness."

The team will compete next in a single elimination round against Chester March 29 at the Government Center. Team members include: Amanda Balch (not pictured), Travis Benson, Danielle Freedman, Ben Gulla, Sabrina LePage, Samantha LePage, Dustin Mammen, Sierra Phillips, Kyser Rodriguez (not pictured), Nichole Russell, Giovanna Steinhaus, Robert Wilkins, and Julia Zenker.

Pictured with the students are the team's attorney coach, Orange County Assistant District Attorney Amir Sadaghiani, and teacher advisor, Guidance Counselor Julie Nimal.