Nyack Wins Rockland's High School Mock Trial Competition 2018

NYACK, NY — Nyack High School won Rockland County’s High School Mock Trial competition for 2018 in a final round face-off against Clarkstown South High School. The event was held on Thursday at the Rockland County Courthouse.

Supreme Court Justice Hon. Robert M. Berliner presided over the last round of the tournament.

“It was a privilege for me to judge the Final Round of the Rockland County Mock Trial competition," Berliner said. "Both teams were very well-prepared and handled themselves with poise and professionalism. I am very proud of them. Good luck to the winner in the NYS Regional Competition. Thank you for making it such a rewarding experience for me.”

Mock Trial tournaments in Rockland County are sponsored by the Rockland County Bar Association, in collaboration with participating local high schools. They are a part of the New York Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition program sponsored by the New York State Bar Association.

Rockland County high schools that participated in the earlier in the Preliminary and Semi-final Rounds this year were: Albertus Magnus High School, Clarkstown High School North, Clarkstown High School South, North Rockland High School and Nyack High School.

Students who participate on their school’s team enjoy the challenge and exhilaration of competition. Students learn about the U.S. Constitution, the rule of law, and the role of the prosecution and the defense in a real trial.

Stephanie Costa, Social Studies Teacher and Faculty Coach from Clarkstown High School South says about the program:

Mock Trial is a unique experience for high school students regardless of whether or not a student wants to pursue a career in law.

Students learn to work collaboratively, be personable, respect authority and…reflect on their rhetoric and demeanor…The students who participate…graduate ready to take on any discipline they pursue in higher education. It is truly amazing…to witness the success of students.

Rockland County Bar Association attorneys volunteer their time to coach the high school teams and local Attorneys and sitting judges score the teams and preside at the court hearings. Brandon W. Rothstein, an attorney at Kantrowitz, Goldhamer & Graifman, P.C., and Attorney Advisor for the Nyack team says of the program: “This experience has truly been life-changing. To work with such a wonderful group of young adults and watch them wrestle with complicated topics and legal skills that lawyers study for years to master is truly inspiring.”

Nyack High School will now go on to the 2018 Lower Hudson Region Mock Trial Tournament, which will be held on Saturday, April 28, 2018 at Marist College in Poughkeepsie.

PHOTO: Pictured from left to right are: Back row: Brandon Rothstein, Esq., Assistant Attorney Advisor, Niara Nichols, Mary Cacevic, Lucy Jackson, Justice Robert M. Berliner, Barbara Boutin and Sam Sneed. Front row: Attorney Advisor Duncan Lee, Luke Barrett, Olga Diamandoglu, Charlotte Hurson, Assistant Attorney Advisor Giulia Palermo, Esq., Corina Tulevech, Maria Brasius. Missing from photo are Andrea Gonzalez, Trey Sanabria and Teacher Coach, Steve Nardi./ Rockland County Bar Association