Tottenville High School Mock Trial Association

Two Down, Five to Go
Pirates pick up first two victories of the season

The Tottenville High School prosecution after their Round 1 victory on March 5.

The Tottenville High School Mock Trial Team opened up the 2007 season by picking up back-to-back victories against the School of Heroes and Shulamith Yeshiva. Round 1 featured a stellar performance by all six members of the prosecution. Alivia Ashenfarb, freshman, and Bradley Simon, junior, were sensational in their mock trial debuts.
      "I was extremely nervous and anxious before the round. However, once the trial began it felt so natural. Those long hours really paid off when the judge announced we won," said Simon. After two years of hearing about the team, Simon decided to tryout this past December. "It was the best decision I could have made. I can't wait to get back out there."
     The prosecution was also led by the performance of its four returners--Michael Dubov, Michelle Cuozzo, Jesse Siegel and Adam Abramson. "I've been watching this kid [Adam Abramson] for years now, but his performance during that round was the best I've ever seen," said Abramsom's agent. Abramson shined as Investigator Ashton Hopp, an expert in the field of cyber crime technology.

Despite his expert testimony, the prosecution had a difficult task. They had the burden or proving that Jamie Gates was cyber stalked by Pat Macintosh. Jesse Siegel, starring as Jamie Gates, captivated the Court with her performance. Alivia Ashenfarb, playing Jamie's best friend, added powerful testimony. Dominating the courtroom, team Captains Michael Dubov and Michelle Cuozzo delivered passionate opening and closing statements. At the end of the day, the Court found Pat Macintosh guilty of cyber stalking in the second degree and awarded Tottenville it's first victory of the year.
The very next day, the Pirates were back in the courtroom for Round 2. This time, it was the defense's turn. Round 2 marked the debut for four Pirate mockers--Louis Astuto, Sophomore, Amar Patel, Sophomore, Mishelle Beltser, Junior and Heather Siegfriend, Sophomore. These four newcomers joined returners Anna Chernov and Esther Ostro to lead the defense to victory against a difficult opponent.

The Tottenville High School defense after their Round 2 victory on March 6.

Amar Patel, Sophomore, portrays Professor Loren Albert.
Patel made his mock trial debut on Tuesday, March 6.

  "The most challenging part of preparing for this round was prepping the newcomers," said Team Captain Anna Chernov, "I just wanted to make sure they would be ready for anything that could possibly happen."
      Chernov's experience showed at several points during the trial, shutting down the other team's direct and owning objection arguments. Then, there was Louis Astuto. Making his much anticipated debut, Astuto has been dubbed "the machine" by his teammates--for his ability to shut down the opposition. "I watched the Rhino [his brother] do this for years and I just couldn't wait for my time to come," said Astuto, "my first trial was definitely something I'll never forget." Louis, along with Heather Siegfriend, were responsible for delivering dynamic opening and closing statements for the defense.
     But of course, what would be a mock trial without witnesses? Returner Esther Ostro illustrated why she is one of the best witnesses in the state. Starring as the defendant, Esther made a recluse, accused cyberstalker seem like a credible young girl who had been wrongly accused. Amar Patel and Mishelle Beltser drew laughs with their comical potrayals of college computer personnel. All in all it was a terrific first week for the Tottenville High School Mock Trial Association.

"I've been doing this for 6 years now and that was the best first round performance I have ever seen from a team. A lot of these kids still have a bitter taste in their mouth after last year and have worked ten times harder this year because of it... This team has the potential to win it all," said Coach Justin Matarrese.
Their excellent performance this past week earned them a bye in Round 3. Come down and support the Pirates on Thursday, April 17 as they compete in Round 4 of the Region V High School Mock Trial Tournament. The round will start at 5 P.M.