KINGSTON – The Wyoming Seminary Mock Trial team won the 2018 Pennsylvania State High School Mock Trial Tournament on March 24 and has gone undefeated in district, regional and state competition for the first time in school history.
The team won in four rounds and defeated Penn Trafford High School to win the championship. The tournament was held in the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg.
Also, team members received several awards based on their outstanding individual performances in the courtroom. Junior Molly Leahy, of Wilkes-Barre, received two Best Witness Awards, while junior Philip Ouellette, of Dallas, and sophomore Jillayne Gumbs, of Allentown, received one Best Witness Awards each.
Senior and team captain Meghna Melkote, of Moosic, received two Best Advocate Awards, while senior Corey Bohn, of Swoyersville, and freshman Shailee Desai, of Shavertown, received one Best Advocate Award each.
The team will now continue on to the 2018 National High School Mock Trial Championship, to be held May 10-12 in Reno, Nevada.
Mock trial teams argue a hypothetical 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.
Team members are coached by teacher-coaches Adam Carlisle and David Johnson, and are advised by area attorneys Paul Galante and Zach Watkins, as well as former Sem Mock Trial captain Caroline Reppert, class of 2013.
