KINGSTON – The Wyoming Seminary Mock Trial team recently competed in the 2019 Region 5, District 2 High School Mock Trial Competition in the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre, taking first place.
In addition to winning the district competition, which ran for three evenings, three team members received awards based on their outstanding individual performances in the courtroom. Senior Morgan Price, of Bear Creek, received three Best Witness Awards, while recipients of the Best Advocate (Attorney) Awards are sophomore Shailee Desai, of Shavertown, and junior and team captain Jillayne Gumbs, of Allentown.
The Sem Blue Knights now continue on to competition against the champion team in Region 5, District 1, to be held this month.
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, Dr. Elizabeth Penland and Morgan Howard-Penland and are advised by area attorneys Paul Galante and Zach Watkins.
