An Update on OBHS's Mock Trial Team

By Lena Gluck and Jed Kaiser

     The Oyster Bay High School Mock Trial Team, led by supervisors David Pontillo and Lauren Harnick, recently competed in three competitions on February 5th, February 15th, and March 1st at Nassau County Court House. 

​     Students participating in the competitions had to study a case and reenact it against another school in a courtroom setting. The first competition, in which OB served as the plaintiff, was lost to North Shore. However, the second round against Jericho resulted in a victory for OB as the defense team. In the third and final competition, OB’s defense went head to head against Davis Renov Stahler (HALB) Yeshiva High School for Boys. Although OB didn’t win the final round, students gained valuable insight and experience.
    The defense team was made up of Emily Vomvas, Sahill Yadav, Krista Marino, Jen Rebuth, Matilde Bechet, and Christian Garcia. The plantiff participants were Lance Amarillo, Ariel Margolin, Lindsey Kowalczyk, Kimia Khaledi, Caroline Scamell, and Lena Gluck.     
Students on the team put in countless hours with the hope that their hard work will pay off in the end.       Mock Trial participant Sahill Yadav revealed, “Mock Trial was overwhelming at first because of the amount of practice, but it changed me into an outspoken person.”
Senior Jen Rebuth added, “The numerous late night meeting with our lawyers and coaches really paid off.”
     For a few members of the Mock Trial Team, this is their last year in the courtroom. Mock Trial President Kimia Khaledi reflects on her three years in the club, stating, “Oyster Bay’s Mock Trial Team has come a long way thanks to Mr. Pontillo and Ms. Harnick. We are all so passionate about the cases, so it is such a great experience.”
     The win against Jericho was an extremely important win for all of the members, but especially for those who are graduating. Jen Rebuth told us, “It was a well-deserved win and I could not be more proud of our team.
     After reflecting on this year’s competitions, Mr. Pontillo explained, “I was glad that our team was very strong and competitive.”
      Mrs. Harnick added, “It was so nice to see the students work collaboratively to develop the theories of the case and see them do so well. It was a great experience. Lots of hard work, but it was rewarding.”
     Members of the Mock Trial Team would like to thank co-advisors Mr. Pontillo and Mrs. Harnick for their unyielding devotion to the team.
    From all of us here at The Harbour Voice, we would like to say congratulations to the OBHS Mock Trial Team!