Mock Trial State Tournament

Mercy's Varsity Mock Trial competed in the Michigan Civic Education Mock Trial State Tournament on Saturday, March 18, 2023 at the Veteran's Memorial Courthouse in Lansing. (This was the first time in-person experience for this entire team, since last one was in 2019.)

Our Defense team started the day with a solid win. Acting attorneys Ella Sinawi, Bella Jappaya and Carly Dalloo showed a solid understanding of the case, rules of evidence and courtroom etiquette. Peyton Robinson, Sophia Ivezaj and Isabella Casab scored impressive points as our witnesses with Peyton Robinson earning a perfect 10. Junior Carly Dalloo received Star Attorney and sophomore Isabella Casab earned Star Witness.  

Our Prosecution team lost by a narrow margin to last year's state winning team. Acting attorneys Marina DiPonio, Sabrina Shea and Lily Cochrine put up a good fight going head to head with arguments involving the rules of evidence. In fact, the presiding Judge took note of our team's knowledge and even admitted she had erred in overruling one of Lily Cochrine's objections. Our witnesses, Stella Coe, Maura McSweeney and Alaina Mundt all scored very high marks earning several 9's. It was an extremely solid performance and tough loss. Marina DiPonio walked away with the Star Attorney award and Stella Coe took home Star Witness.

The team would not have been able to compete without our timekeepers, Natalia Martinez- Necoechea and Jenny Akabuo. Team manager senior Maddie Lee played an integral part in the season and helped keep the team ready to compete! We are also extremely grateful to our community coach, Morgan Schut, J.D., a practicing attorney in Detroit who volunteered countless hours to coaching the team.