News
April 21, 2016Hudson Valley Consortium Wins the 2016 Albany County High School Mock Trial
The Albany County Bar Association (ACBA) President Daniel W. Coffey, along with the Board of Directors, is pleased to announce the winner of the 2016 Albany County Mock Trial Competition. Seven high school teams from Albany County participated in this year’s event. The Honorable Mae A. D’Agostino, U.S. District Judge, presided over the finals held April 12, 2016, with Hudson Valley Consortium (HVC) taking first place and Albany Academy second place. HVC will move forward to the Region 3 Mock Trial Tournament being held on April 16, 2016 at the Schenectady County Courthouse. The New York Statewide Mock Trial Tournament Finals will be held in May of this year.
Albany County Executive Daniel McCoy stated, “I am extremely proud of the seven teams that participated in Albany County’s Mock Trial Competition this year. It is impressive to see our young citizens take an active interest in the legal profession and strengthen their analytical skills at such a young age.”
Hudson Valley Consortium team members include: Attorney Advisor Eric Sills, John Gutch, Ryan Meyer, Fei Fei Hagen, Gloria Senecal, Priscilla Capuano, Michael Cuke, Taisie Harrington, Madeline Shafer, Paul Capuano, Elijah Blowers and Nate Duffy.
“Mock Trial is just one of the ways our Association drives dynamic influence in our community and in the legal profession as a whole,” said Coffey. “Both Albany Academy and Hudson Valley Consortium appeared before the Judge admirably and we were all quite impressed by the level of preparation that both teams exhibited. Our thanks to Judge D’Agostino, Benjamin Hill and Lauren Owens, our Mock Trial Committee Co-Chairs, as well as to all the attorneys who volunteered during the official tournament period. Special thanks to Albany County Family Court for hosting the mock trials this season.”
This year’s County Mock Trial included teams from the following schools: Albany Academy, Bethlehem High School, Christian Brothers Academy, Cohoes High School, Guilderland High School, Hudson Valley Consortium and Voorheesville High School.
“The mock trial program has been a life changing and character building experience for our students,” said Renee Capuano, HVC teacher. “Students start our program wanting to learn about the legal profession. They leave the program not only with a greater understanding of the law, but with skills, confidence, integrity and poise to prepare them for successful future endeavors. They gain enriching relationships with their attorney advisor and teacher as well as lifelong friendships with their teammates. We have students with varied backgrounds and interests. Mock trial offers a valuable experience for each of them.”
The New York State Bar Association held its first tournament in 1982. The Albany County Bar Association has been hosting the Albany County Trials since 2000.
“We are hoping to grow the Mock Trial program and garner additional interest throughout Albany County,” explained Hill and Owens. “High Schools in Albany County interested in developing a team for the 2017 season are encouraged to contact ACBA.”
