KINGSTON – The Wyoming Seminary Mock Trial team recently participated in the 34th Annual Pennsylvania Bar Association Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition, held at the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg.

The Seminary team, representing Region 5 in state competition, finished in third place, falling in the semifinal round to Roman Catholic High School.

This is the sixth time in 10 years the Seminary Blue Knights advanced to the state level. The competition featured the top 14 Mock Trial teams in the Commonwealth.

Two members of the Wyoming Seminary’s team were honored with special awards. Senior Imran Pakbaz of Kabul, Afghanistan received three Best Witness Awards, and senior and team co-captain Emily Laurore of Shavertown received three Best Advocate Awards.

“With this competition, we turn the page on yet another successful Mock Trial season,” said Adam Carlisle, member of the Wyoming Seminary history faculty and Mock Trial Team teacher-coach. “I could not be more proud of what these seven students accomplished together this year.”

The competition, sponsored by the Young Lawyers Division of the Pennsylvania Bar Association, provides high school students with a firsthand experience of the American judicial system.

Mock trial teams argue a case before a judge and are evaluated based on their presentation, opening and closing arguments, direct and cross examination, poise and articulation, control of facts, and knowledge of Mock Trial rules of law and exceptions. Competitions involve two opposing high school teams who apply real-life statutes and case law to fictitious situations in a simulated trial setting.

The Wyoming Seminary Mock Trial team shown, seated, from left: Senior Imran Pakbaz, Kabul, Afghanistan; senior and co-captain Avery Conyngham, Shavertown; senior and co-captain Emily Laurore, Shavertown; and senior Paige Allen, Mountain Top. Standing, from left: sophomore Philip Ouellette, Dallas; junior Samantha Immidisetti, Somerset, N.J.; and junior Meghna Melkote, Moosic. Not present for photo: Adam Carlisle, teacher coach; David Johnson, teacher coach; and attorney advisors Guerline L. Laurore, Joseph C. Ruby, Paul Galante and Zach Watkins.
https://www.mydallaspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/web1_WyoSem_MockTrialStates_17.jpg.optimal.jpgThe Wyoming Seminary Mock Trial team shown, seated, from left: Senior Imran Pakbaz, Kabul, Afghanistan; senior and co-captain Avery Conyngham, Shavertown; senior and co-captain Emily Laurore, Shavertown; and senior Paige Allen, Mountain Top. Standing, from left: sophomore Philip Ouellette, Dallas; junior Samantha Immidisetti, Somerset, N.J.; and junior Meghna Melkote, Moosic. Not present for photo: Adam Carlisle, teacher coach; David Johnson, teacher coach; and attorney advisors Guerline L. Laurore, Joseph C. Ruby, Paul Galante and Zach Watkins.