Villa Joseph Marie JEMS make it REAL @Mock Trial 2020
by Cate Murway
Addison Babbage v. Ruffed Grouse High School, LLC
SPONSORED BY THE YOUNG LAWYERS DIVISION
OF THE PENNSYLVANIA BAR ASSOCIATION
Villa Joseph Marie’s Mock Trial team advances to the Bucks County Playoffs.
Well… Court WAS in session in the Bucks County Justice Center and the Villa Joseph Marie PROSECUTION and DEFENSE PREVAILED under the adept leadership of Mr. Anthony T. Micalizzi, Social Studies teacher and Mock Trial Advisor, and Mr. Brian M. Marriott, Esquire, Mock Trial Attorney Coach.
This VJM Mock Trial team included some experienced members who took on leadership roles and reached out to help the underclassmen. The team performed very well and was afforded the opportunity to conduct the trial in an actual crowded courtroom.
The program operates as if it were a real trial. Both the plaintiff and defense sides have three attorneys and three witnesses. Everyone dresses up, and they convene at the Bucks County Justice Center, and preparing to hone trial skills before a supportive audience.
The team of students is originally assembled for defense, plaintiff or both.
“After many hours of preparation and strong senior leadership, our mock trial made the playoffs for the first time since the team was re-created in the last 4 years. It's a monumental moment in the program that could only be attributed to the phenomenal work and dedication of our young lawyers and witnesses,” proudly stated Mock Trial Advisor Micalizzi.
”We are fortunate to have conscientious and dedicated students and a very supportive faculty. The girls also put a lot of time and effort into preparation, and they seem to enjoy the entire process. I think that enjoyment really shows at trial,” shared Attorney Coach Marriott.
Vice Chair of the VJM Board of Directors Mary K. Smithson and VJM President Thomas A. Kardish attended the team’s first competition.
“They performed well and looked so professional in their black uniforms,” confirmed President Tom Kardish.
A tradition of excellence has been set; a testament to a better tomorrow.
The confident and nimble minded teams were led by the quite adept seniors, Isabelle E. Anzabi, Tara N. Czekner, Madeline N. Marriott and Kiersten B. McKenna.
“I really enjoyed this year. It was fun to portray a specialist in a field,” confirmed Isabelle Anzabi.
Her interests include government and political science, perhaps on an international basis.
“I’m so proud of our team’s effort, win or lose, but it’s been such an amazing experience to be successful with these girls this season and to watch all of our hard work pay off. I’m so thankful to have been a part of this team for four years, and I can’t wait to watch their future success,” shared Maddie Marriott.
Her future ambitions include sports journalism, an integral part of the news business.
LAW is in the air for the 36th year of one of the top secondary level academic competitions in the Commonwealth! This year's case, Addison Babbage v. Ruffed Grouse High School, LLC, written by the prominent lawyers, Jonathan A. Grode, Paul W. Kaufman, and Jonathan D. Koltash, is a civil case to determine whether the defendant is liable for failing to address *cyberbullying at a private school.
*cy•ber•bul•ly•ing [noun] the use of electronic communication over digital devices like cell phones, computers, and tablets to bully a person, typically by sending messages of an intimidating or threatening nature.
It has become increasingly common, especially among teenagers.
The simulated trials are held before actual judges and panels of juries comprised of esteemed members of the bar. The attorneys and witnesses are judged on a scale of 1 to 10.
Tuesday evening results * Courtroom #320 VJM vs. Pennridge
*District Judge, Daniel J. Finello, Jr.
VJM team:
Ashley N. Rosica ‘22 *Best Advocate award [prosecution team]
Tara Czekner ‘20 *Best Witness award [prosecution team]
Pennridge HS team:
Joseph Harkins ’21 *Best Advocate award [prosecution team]
Luke Cossman ’20 *Best Witness award [prosecution team]
Thursday evening results * Courtroom #360 VJM vs. Central Bucks South
*Senior Deputy Attorney General, Honorable Robert LaBar
VJM team:
Alexandra Venth ‘21*Best Advocate award [defense team]
Delaney Geist ‘23 *Best Witness award [defense team]
The PA Bar Association/ Young Lawyers [PBA/YLD] Division Mock Trial Competition gives more than 300 high school student teams from across the state the opportunity to act as lawyers and witnesses in simulated civil and criminal trials before actual judges and panels of juries. The students, who portray the roles of lawyers, witnesses, plaintiffs and defendants, are assisted by teacher coaches and lawyer advisors in preparation for each competition. Lawyers volunteer to assist the students as team advisors, scorekeepers and regional coordinators, and the juries determine the winners in each trial based on the teams’ abilities to prepare their cases, present arguments and follow court rules.
Then, each year, the winning team goes on to represent PA in the national competition.
Mock Trial participation is perfect for students passionate about the law, as it exposes them to the basics of criminal and evidence law, or those interested in public speaking and telling an engaging story, or in problem solving. It has proven to be an extremely fulfilling extracurricular activity to pursue in the development of many crucial skills from teamwork to critical analysis to writing.
The statewide Mock Trial competitions are more than just an academic exercise. Participating students gain a working knowledge of our justice system, plus successful dispute resolution techniques and valuable presentation, Also students can sharpen critical-thinking and teamwork skills that will serve them well throughout their lifetimes.
Crafting opening and closing statements requires students to consolidate a tremendous amount of material into a short five-minute narrative that presents a compelling, coherent “story” of the case.
Comments from the jury included “well prepared,” “clearly knew their stuff,” “very familiar with the case,” and “sold me right away.”
All rise.
“Beyond a Reasonable Doubt,” the Mock Trial participants were exceptionally well prepared with a tightly constructed presentation as they confidently stayed in character with their assumed roles.
Court is adjourned.
The Villa Joseph Marie Mock Trial team made a JEM of a case with poise and well-reasoned arguments.
The VJM team will compete again on Tuesday, the 28th at 5:30PM at the Bucks County Justice Center.
Recommend a “Spotlight”. E-mail vjmrun@yahoo.com
VJM Prosecution team
From left
Brian Marriott, Esq, Tara Czekner ’20, Maddie Marriott ’20, Sara Aschenbrenner ’23, Ashley Rosica ’22,
Emily M. Bruni ’23, Isabelle Anzabi ‘20, Anthony T. Micalizzi
VJM Defense team
From left
Anthony T. Micalizzi, Kiersten McKenna ’20, Annalise Schuck ’22, Grace M. Matwijec ’21, Alexandra Venth ’21, Katelyn Burke ’21,
Delaney Geist ‘23, Brian Marriott, Esq
Pennridge HS team
[*photo provided by Pennridge HS English teacher, Victoria J. Short]
From left to right...
Joseph Harkins '21, Emily Miller '21, Kira Shukla '23 [front],
Allison Ashby '22 [back], Judge Finello, Luke Cossman '20,
Rebecca Yardley '21, Maggie Dunlap '21
