STATE your Case: NDCL’s Mock Trial program excels in and out of the courtroom

STATE your Case:

NDCL’S MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM EXCELS IN AND OUT OF THE COURTROOM

2017 Nationals in Hartford, CT

Not even a pandemic can slow the momentum of NDCL’s high-achieving Mock Trial program. To Vicki Frabotta, NDCL’s Mock Trial Advisor, nothing can stand in their way of continued state and national success.

“I’m so proud of the program’s success but it is the ultimate team achievement,” says the Notre Dame Academy graduate, now in her 29th year as a member of NDCL’s faculty.

Frabotta is quick to point out that the program has grown in large part to the exceptional community members that lend a hand.

“Early in the program, we were lucky to have Nick Giegerich as an attorney adviser help us since his son Harry Giegerich `15 was on the team. I knew then and there how important it is to have members from our alumni, parent, and local community play a special role in the growth of the program.”

In particular, Nick Burling `01, Judge Deena Calabrese `89, Ryan Callender, Michelle DeBaltzo `88, Matt Lallo `02, Judge Carolyn Paschke, Judge Michael Shaughnessy, Judge Terri Stupica, and Marty Delahunty have all played special and important roles in the program’s success.

“When I started as a legal advisor a few years ago, the program was heavy in juniors and seniors, but now we’re seeing more and more freshmen every year,” says Delahunty, an attorney who serves as a key Mock Trial Coach for the “Legal Lions”. “I can’t stress enough how important ‘critical thinking’ is for our society, and the kids really develop that skill by being a part of this program,” says the father of NDCL graduates J.D. `17 and Jacqueline `16 Delahunty.

Sometimes Frabotta sees an opportunity to improve the program in unpredictable ways.

“A few years ago, our case centered around drones,” she recalls. “At school we happened to be taking an all-school photo at the stadium utilizing a drone, so I got in touch with the drone manufacturer after the photo shoot. A few weeks later, the manufacturer came to school to talk to the Mock Trial team about product background that really helped in our case. It was a perfect opportunity!”

Frabotta routinely gathers feedback from other successful programs and their coaches to improve the NDCL Mock Trial performance for the next opportunity.

“Sometimes I’m on the phone an hour with a coach of a team we lost to, figuring out what we can do better next time,” she says. “Each defeat I take as a chance to improve our program and approach for the next time.”

GRADUATES TOUT SUCCESS OF MOCK TRIAL PROGRAM

Recent NDCL graduates that excelled in the Mock Trial program echo Frabotta and Delahunty’s assertions: the NDCL program is in the big leagues and paves the way for college and life success.

Tom Fogarty `17 recalls trying out for Mock Trial simply to impress his dad. However, he found that law is turning into his life’s purpose.

“Our team was full of excellent individuals, and that has an effect on you,” says the Ohio State University graduate now preparing for law school. “The Mock Trial program teaches you to stand for your beliefs and argument and not to cave to pressure. That speaks to integrity.”

Being surrounded by other individuals who want the same thing you do is a key reason for the team’s competitive nature over the last several years. Team members become so immersed in the case and their role, it rubs off on other members of the team.

“I was a terrible public speaker before I joined the Mock Trial team,” says Antonia Mysyk `18, now a senior at Franciscan University of Steubenville. “That fear went away really fast and now my confidence is sky high.”

In reflecting on the program’s recent success, Mysyk beams with pride on where the team is headed. “Looking back, we really worked our way up. We were an unknown team but now NDCL can compete with anyone.” Mysyk turned her Mock Trial experience into a summer internship with the Geauga County Common Pleas Court and plans to attend law school. “I can’t say enough about the internship experience!”

Emily Callahan `20 has high hopes for NDCL’s Mock Trial teams going forward— winning nationals. “This program is totally capable of winning nationals,” says the Northwestern University student. “We have the resources and the drive to do this. That is my greatest wish for the program.”

Callahan didn’t plan on joining Mock Trial as a freshman, but it turned into a perfect fit. “During our run to states my junior year was when I fell in love with Mock Trial. The team was such a close community and when our season ended we were all so sad. It was over, we knew we were going to miss each other.”

2021 Mock Trial team

ONE COMMUNITY

It is easy to view the Mock Trial program into the lens of each and every one of NDCL’s five core values—Justice, Respect, Integrity, Community, and Excellence. The team’s performance isn’t limited to the walls of the courtroom or classroom, however. “In 2018 when we were in Atlanta, the team spent 3 hours at a community outreach center,” Frabotta says. “They invited homeless members of the community for lunch and engaged with them, made them feel special.”

The verdict is in--nearby or far, wherever these “Lions” roam, their success has no boundaries.

Briana Cowman `18 with her mother, Vicki Frabotta

TEAM ACHIEVEMENTS OVER THE LAST SEVERAL YEARS:

2016:

State Qualifier 2017:

2nd in State; National Qualifier; Briana Cowman 7th Place in Nation (Witness) 2018:

State Qualifier Empire Competition in Atlanta 2019:

State Semifinalist

2020:

State Qualifier 2021: