On Friday the 16th the Lyme-Old Lyme Mock Trial team competed in and won their third consecutive regional competition. The team began preparations at the beginning of the school year, holding tryouts, receiving the case book and rules, and above all, practicing. The team lost three seniors this season, but in gaining four new members was able to pull through and, evidently, come out on top. The team is split into Defense and Plaintiff, with six members and one time keeper on each team. The teams each hold three attorney-pair witnesses, whom work together to create and develop direct and cross examination questions. Defense attorneys Sophie Warlitz and Caroline Sirna were also in charge of writing and presenting the team’s opening and closing arguments, respectively; Caroline Sagristano delivered Plaintiff’s opening argument while Marissa Smith delivered closing. Social Studies teacher Mrs. Hylas coaches the team alongside Connecticut prosecutor Mr. David Smith, who together help the members to create, revise, and present their work.

The regional competition was hosted at the Middletown Court House in Middletown, Connecticut at 1:30 on Friday afternoon. Once at the courthouse the team was told which court rooms they would be reporting to, and which schools they would be competing against. Lyme-Old Lyme Defense competed against one of Valley Regional’s teams, while Plaintiff competed against a Defense team from Mercy High. Both Defense and Plaintiff agree that they felt they were evenly matched, though in the end Lyme-Old Lyme’s intense preparation ultimately proved crucial to winning.

The team will be continuing on to the quarter finals in early February, hosted at Uconn Law, using their time now to make revisions and further develop their case. The team will also be working to expand their understanding of the law in an effort to further their success and preparedness in regards to objections. The team hopes to win their first round of quarter finals this year- wish them luck!