By Delphine Slotten ‘11, Editor in Chief

Monday, February 7^th, 2011 marked the pinnacle of six months of long Friday evening and Sunday meetings, of countless readings and re-readings, of discussions and presentations, of training and perfection.  Quite simply, these were six months (if not more) of determination and perseverance.

Monday, February 7^th, 2011 marked the Essex County Finals of the New Jersey State Bar Association’s annual Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competition.  Fueled by the Newark Academy plaintiff team’s victory over last year’s county champion, Livingston High School, in the Essex County Semifinals, Newark Academy’s defense team, headed by Senior Noah Liff and Junior Loryn Helfmann, faced perennial rival Seton Hall Prep in the Essex County Finals.  In representing the defendant J.E. Moody, played by Senior Allie Hyans, in the case of Jordan Pederson v. J.E. Moody, Newark Academy’s two defense lawyers and three witnesses succeeded in convincing the jury that the pedestrian-plaintiff Jordan Pederson was more negligent or distracted than the driver-defendant in the pedestrian-motor vehicle accident that occurred on the grounds of the fictitious Metropolitan High School.  More importantly, however, Newark Academy’s team earned the presiding judge’s approval and brought home the title of Essex County High School Mock Trial champion.

Accordingly, the Newark Academy Mock Trial team advanced to New Jersey’s regional competition for the first time in the school and club’s history, and while the team was eliminated in the second round, the team proudly stands as a New Jersey regional semifinalist, ranking among the state’s 12 best teams.

As the Newark Academy Mock Trial team’s 2010-2011 season comes to a triumphant and rewarding close, preparations and aspirations are in the works for next year.  In awaiting the official start of the 2011-2012 season, the team would like to thank all members of the community who have demonstrated their support throughout the year.

The 2010-2011 Newark Academy Mock Trial Team

Plaintiff Team

Attorneys:

Samuel Peinado ‘11

Christopher Davis ‘12

Witnesses:

Serena Najjar ‘14 as Jordan Pederson

Ethan Savel ‘14 as Morgan Kristy

Varagunan Satchithanandan ‘12 as Dr. Delaney Jones

Defense Team

Attorneys:

Loryn Helfmann ‘12

Noah Liff ‘11

Witnesses:

Allison Hyans ‘11 as J.E. Moody

Trevor Williams ‘13 as Chris Mills

Delphine Slotten ‘11 as Dr. Haley Comman

Alternates & Assistants:

Elizabeth Vogel ‘13

Halley Young ‘13

Samantha Altschuler ‘14

Stutti Tilwa ‘14

Danielle Sidi ‘14

Teacher-Coaches, Attorney-Coaches, and All Other Coaches:

Mr. Benson Hawk, Esq.

The Honorable Leo M. Gordon ‘69

Mr. Rubin Sinins, Esq. ‘87

Dr. Jeanette Paktor

Ms. Lenore Mahler

Mr. Dan Drew