Students pass trial, so help them God

Clutching index cards, Peter Schulte, a "lawyer" and high school sophomore, paced the red carpet before the judge's bench in the Justice Building at the Empire State Plaza in Albany. He spoke confidently as he wrapped up his closing argument.

Peter is a member of the mock trial team from Notre Dame-Bishop Gibbons School in Schenectady that competed last week in the State Mock Trial Championships. The school placed fourth in the competition that involved 500 schools from across New York State.

Although ND-BG lost the case, they won something else: pride in their work and the recognition of a job well done.

"I'm very proud of our team," said sophomore Brittany Crowley. "There was a lot of hard work put into this, and I think we accomplished a lot."

This was ND-BG's only loss in a season chock-full of victories: The team won the county and regional mock trial titles to move on to the state championships.

The mock trial team consisted of 24 members -- 10 percent of the enrollment at the school, said coaches Linda Neidl and Melanie Anchukaitis.

This year's mock trial addressed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in a suit brought by a quadriplegic who believed he was discriminated against when he was passed over for a producing job at a New York City TV news station.

Each mock trial team was responsible for preparing arguments for both the defense and plaintiff -- and being ready to take up either position at a drop of a hat.

Case prep

Throughout the season, the team prepared with regular practices so the students could understand the law, build their arguments, research related topics, and learn about the real-life drama of words and ideas that occurs in an average courtroom.

According to Mrs. Neidl, the students learned courtroom procedure, how to submit evidence, how questions are asked during an examination of your own witness versus that of your opponent, how to avoid leading questions, and how to do the research that often makes a difference between a argument that's solid and one that's shaky.

"I love helping them do the thinking that's involved with it," she said. "I love coaching the performance part of it: How do you deliver your opening and closing speech so that it engages listening?"

Mrs. Neidl noted that mock trial members learn critical thinking skills, time management, coherent writing and to "think on their feet. [They] need to try to constantly find something that the other side didn't anticipate."

In the spotlight

Brittany said that being a lawyer is like "being in a spotlight. You have a lot of power."

As a mock trial lawyer, she has to think constantly and know how to approach new situations calmly. "I like to challenge my mind," she said. "You learn more and more each time that you practice."

Kim Hawkey, a sophomore who played a defense witness in the finals, enjoys being a part of the mock trial team for a slightly different reason: "being able to act, and being able to persuade the judge to see your story. And it's a lot of fun."

Acting the part

Senior Dave Tokarowski spent most of the year portraying the case's disabled plaintiff. He had to become extremely familiar with quadriplegia; the area surrounding the plaintiff's alma mater, New York University; and the ADA provisions. On the stand, Dave tried to remain stationary to get a better idea for what his character might experience.

"In cross-examination, you have to prepare for anything. You have to be that person and know exactly what you're going to say," he noted. "You can get really nervous, but you try not to show it. You have to be thinking every second. They ask a question, and you have to respond as you would naturally. You need to think on your feet and come out with a good response -- and that's really challenging."

Working as one

Peter, who has been involved with mock trial activities since the sixth grade, served as a lawyer during the team's final performance. He hopes to attend law school.

He believes that a team's attitude is half the battle. Presenting a calm, cool and collected front rather than being frustrated by the opposition's unexpected objections or questions is difficult, but it helps to keep a clear head when thinking of the facts.

"I like the processes behind it, bouncing the questions off of everybody at practice," Peter explained. "You'll go through questions and realize that the whole entire question line doesn't work too well. You'll have to go all the way back to the beginning, trim it down, and figure what has the best impact and least objectionability."

So help them God

Mrs. Neidl noted that the tight-knit team prays before every competition.

"We find some quiet corner, hold hands, and pray in gratitude for the times we had together and for their talents -- and for their community and special needs," she said. "We always connect the prayer to the case. This year, we prayed for people with disabilities and [a better] social response to them."

(5/20/04)