Oratory Prep's Mock Trial Team in New Mexico: Day 3, Friday

Today is DAY 3, Friday: Here’s a long recap of Thursday!

     With a restful day on Thursday, the boys had time to reflect on the scrimmage against the Connecticut team on Wednesday night. They said they learned a lot from the interaction. Junior Scott Turtur, one of the attorneys for the prosecution said, “They were definitely a worthy opponent, yet we showed them who is boss!” One of the other team members muttered, “Yeah, he raised his voice and made one of the girl witnesses cry!” Whether or not that is true, the boys chuckled at the thought of it.
     Ever the analytical team member, Loren Reinoso (a senior who will attend Princeton University in the fall) explained his take on the Connecticut scrimmage. “Well, it showed that we definitely have a grasp of what we know. Also in our favor,” he continued, “we didn’t need notes.”
     On Thursday afternoon, the boys put on their finest jackets and ties for the official photo of the team. Moms Donna Mooney and Maria Briggs offered to go to the boys’ hotel to steam their jackets to make certain they were properly attired, but through chaperon Matt Klarmann, the contact person while Mr. Martin’s cell phone reception was limited at the Hyatt, they were assured that the boys had the situation covered.
     That’s just one example that speaks to the commitment and responsibility of this team of individuals who represent every grade at the high school. Prior to the trip, Mrs. Klarmann asked her husband what kind of guys he would be chaperoning on the five-day trip. He reportedly told her, “These boys are more responsible and mature than a lot of guys my own age!” So parents, be proud of your boys who are living a memory that will last them a lifetime.
     While the boys were dressed up, they posed for a group shot with their coaches. I (PR Coordinator Susan Dougherty) took the opportunity to speak to them as a group to remind them how proud we are of them. “Today is the National Day of Prayer,” I told them, “so I ask that we all thank God for the people in your lives who have been supporting you every step of this journey.” I reiterated what Mr. Bob Costello told them at one of their last practice sessions — that they are NJ State Mock Trial Champions who have brought honor to themselves, their parents, their school and New Jersey.
      The teens changed back into more casual clothes and at 4 p.m., Mr. Owen McGowan and Chris Darcy ’09 chaperoned the boys’ scrimmage against the Arkansas team. Mr. Bob Scirocco, our attorney coach, took the role of judge in the scrimmage. “I’m tougher on our boys when I am acting as judge,” he explained because they can take it.” At that scrimmage he called out defense attorney Conor Mooney for not letting a witness answer the question fully before asking another question. Later in the scrimmage, he challenged defense attorney Scott Turtur on his raised objection that the other attorney was being argumentative. “I like to try to educate both sides while I’m the judge by explaining the rules of the courtroom to them as we go along,” Coach Scirocco said.
     At the same time as the scrimmage, Mr. Martin with Sheila Boro, Director of New Jersey’s Mock Trial programs, attended the faculty coach’s meeting that spelled out the rules and regulations for attendance at Friday and Saturday’s trials that will be held in New Mexico State and Federal District Courthouses. (No cell phones, no cameras and a list of other important reminders). The Georgia contingent doesn’t have to worry about not having a camera inside the courthouse because they brought their own courtroom artist who will sketch the witnesses and attorneys!
     During the Arkansas scrimmage, Connor Briggs, the team’s official timekeeper, attended the hour-long timekeepers’ meeting in the afternoon.
     At the official team dinner in the Grand Pavilion last night, Mr. Martin and Mr. Scirocco attended with our three attorneys (Conor Mooney, Matt Munro and Scott Turtur) and the six witnesses (Dan Pallone, Ethan Heller, Liam Leas, Tom Hughes, Loren Reinoso and Connor Briggs.) They enjoyed a Mexican-style buffet that was followed by what was called a “pin exchange,” somewhat of a misnomer since the boys received necklaces of shells, containers of bubbles, beads, rubber globes and other memorabilia from teams in the room. OP boys gave pins that cursively spelled our state’s name. Matt Munro took the pin exchange pretty seriously. “I can’t talk right now,” he said. “We’re looking for South Korea.” The guys were able to collect shell give-aways from the team from Guam but never did seem to locate the South Korean delegates in the ballroom. A total of 44 states and those two countries sent representative teams to the competition.
      The other team members had a casual dinner with assistant coach Chris Darcy ’09, Mr. McGowan and Mr. Klarmann. Another team meeting from 9:30 – 10 p.m. reviewed Thursday afternoon’s scrimmage with Arkansas and Mr. Sirocco gave feedback.
      This experience is a hands-on lab that helps teens think on their feet, use what they know all the while not letting the other team see them sweat. The fun continues with round one of competition happening Friday morning at 9 a.m. and round two in the afternoon. Stay tuned!