NDCL mock trial teams advance in competition

For the sixth consecutive year, NDCL’s mock trial teams have advanced to regional competition after prevailing in district trials.

Two of the teams — Team Gold and Team Blue — will compete in the regional trials on Feb. 19-20. Team Purple, consisting entirely of freshmen, lost in districts by a razor-thin margin but snagged several individual awards, which bodes very well for the future.

Because of the pandemic, this year’s mock trial competition is entirely virtual, with teams competing on a series of days instead of a single trial date. All teams focused on a single case that focused on prosecutors’ duty to disclose exculpatory evidence during plea negotiations.

NDCL students won 10 individual awards in the district trials:

Best Attorneys: Senior Connor Marrott, juniors Mallory Sah and Sarah Boyle, and freshmen Tuscani Orris and Ryan Shemitz

Best Witnesses: Senior Madison Rogers; sophomore Bailey Rice; and freshmen Erin Lee, Hailey Karban, and Jessica Mekhel

According to a news release from the school, the Lions owe much of their success to the expert advice provided by their dedicated and generous volunteer legal advisors, including Martin Delahunty (Jackie ‘16 and JD ‘17 ); Judge Carolyn Paschke and Mr. Perrin Sah, parents junior Mallory Sah and Garrett Sah ‘20; and Kimberly Baioni, mother of sophomore Victoria; Mr. Nick Burling ‘01 from the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office; and Judge Michael Shaughnessy (Megan ‘12 and Kate ‘18 ).

Special thanks to Judge Terri Stupica and Ryan Callender (father of sophomore Jackson and Carter’19), who officiated scrimmages for the teams. Briana Cowman ‘18, a current member of the mock trial team at Miami University, and Emily Callahan ‘20, a current member of the Northwestern University mock trial team, also helped the teams during their winter break.

English teachers Victoria Frabotta ‘86 and Katie Martin ‘14, and social studies teacher Ross Martin advise NDCL’s mock trial teams.

SUBMITTED NDCL mock trial Team Blue includes: (Back row) Hayden Bell, Mallory Sah, Madeline Kuhlman, Connor Marrott; (front row) Madison Rodgers, Bailey Rice, Veronica Mekhel, Rylee Yackin

SUBMITTED NDCL mock Trial Team Gold includes: Sarah Boyle, Erin Lee, Hailey Karban, Kendra Brokamp, Victoria Baioni, Tuscani Orris, Maria Román

SUBMITTED NDCL mock trial Team Purple includes: William Owendoff, Jessica Mekhel, Ryan Shemitz, Hailey Karban, Sam Speelman, Grace Ostrosky