The St. Aidan School mock trial team recently hosted its annual spring competition at St. Aidan School. St. Aidan mock trial team moderator, Steve Loewenthal, JD, welcomed more than 300 guests and outlined the format of the competition which consisted of two rounds of trials plus finals, 18 teams and 99 students. Each team took turns presenting the prosecution and the defense in a case about breaking, entering and stealing an upcoming scholarship exam. Several local lawyers as well as Our Lady of Mercy mock trial team members volunteered their time to judge the trials and offer feedback to the participants. Additionally, two local judges, Hon. Jerald Carter of the criminal division of Nassau County Supreme Court and District Court Judge, Hon. Scott Fairgrieve, joined the proceedings. 
The competition was stiff and at the conclusion of three rounds, St. Aidan placed third out of 18 teams, edged out by Our Lady of Lourdes and St. Peter’s of Bayshore. Congratulations to Stephen Poarch, Victoria Zakovic, Sarah Gugliermo, Christopher Marotta and Brynn Nelson, as well as all of our other St. Aidan’s team participants for their outstanding performance.
At their next tournament, St. Peter’s of Alcantara’s Mock Trial Competition in Port Washington, the St. Aidan School team again shined, demonstrating their ability to think on their feet, improvise and have a great time. The team advanced to the final round before a panel of five judges in St. Peter’s Church and brought home second place. Liam Cooke and Jack Mackay told convincing stories in their opening and closing statements. Jack Riordan kept opposing counsel and the judges on their toes with his many objections. Erin Morrisey offered up a stinging cross examination. St. Aidan School student witnesses Jacqueline Uttaro, Abigeal Callahan, Eireen McGuire and Julia Valente portrayed characters convincingly proving to the judges the innocence or guilt of the defendant. The St. Aidan School Mock Trial team is now vigorously preparing for the St. John’s Law School competition in May.
—Submitted by St. Aidan School
