On March 17, the SHS Mock Trial team won a competition that ensured their ability to continue competing in tournaments which lead up to the Region IV Championships and, eventually, the New York State Championships. The team has been on a 3-0 win- ning streak in New York State Bar’s Mock Trial tournaments all around the lower Hudson Valley since early March. Team members have said that this is one of their best records yet. Before the March 17 competition, team members were hopeful for the outcome for the night. “I feel really confident in our team because we have all practiced a lot. I was really impressed with how everyone performed [during practice], especially the new people,” shared Adina Estrin ’15.
Mock Trial advisor and social studies teacher Maria Valentin, credited their recent success to hard work and determination. “Regardless of how far we get in the competition, I really couldn‘t be prouder of the team because we do what we’re supposed to do…[We ]work together as a team, [we] succeed as a team, [we] fail as a team,” shared Valentin. The team began preparing last November for competitions that began the week of March 9. Despite many hours spent preparing, students recognize that the hard work has been worth it. “I really like it… I think that being in the mock trial club has really made me grow as both a student and a person,” said Sam Mittenthal ’17.
by Emily Kopp
