LEGAL ADVISORS 23 Years: Cynthia A. Fazio 20 Years: Jack Goldberg (’59) 10 Years: Joseph J. Braun Alan Barnes Nick Roll (’13) Dan Sonnefeld (’15) Gwen Bender, Jack Bender (’14) and Jeff Willicut (’14).This group worked together in 2012 and 2013, winning individual awards and advancing to the Regionals. Not pictured: Will Schnicke (’15), Jack York (’13), Jack Waters (’15) and Brian Kemper (’16). Bender and Willicut will lead their team for their fourth year of competition together.
Gwen Bender Brian Butler
“I once had a disappointed grandma of two grandsons who had experienced success with the mock trial program approach me about her third grandson who had chosen not to try out for program said Fazio. “She asked me, ‘How will he ever expect to become a good public speaker if he doesn’t do Mock Trial?’ She was right, Fazio and Braun point out, since Mock Trial is just not a co-curricular for students who are interested in being a lawyer someday. The program helps students improve critical thinking, reading, writing, public speaking and listening skills as well as develop an understanding and appreciation for a current constitutional law issue. It will benefit a student in countless ways, like future scholarship competitions, job interviews or in future approaching that next big client. The success of the program is quite astounding (see box), but is a prime example of the complex web of volunteers and supporters that breed success. Besides Fazio and Goldberg other legal advisors for the 2013-2014 season include Gwen Bender, Jack Scott (’78), Robert Ernst (’00), Eric Fehr (’02), Clay Miller (’10) and B rian Redmond (’10). The faculty advisor duties are handled by Henry McDonald (’06). But we cannot forget that both Fr. Howe and Coach Specht (’86) were faculty advisors to the program before they held their current positions. Fazio and Braun will tell you that perhaps that is not a mere coincidence. “When we talk to other teams throughout the state, their experience isn’t like ours at St. X.” said Braun. “It is more than just a casual commitment for all involved. It has lots of components: service, social, educational, team building and family.” With five teams practicing for seven months, the support from parents is crucial, but the rewards for both the team and the student are obvious. “Mock Trial gave my son self-confidence to relay his thoughts and beliefs speaking in a public arena,” stated Tom Gill, past parent, board member and owner of Tom Gill Chevrolet. “Thanks to the program he is easily ready to influence the thoughts of others in any situation.” Parent and advisor Gwen Bender, Hamilton County Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney, sees the program from both angles. “One of my favorite experiences from mock trial has been watching parents react the first time their son speaks in the courtroom during competition. The boys work for months with teammates, developing a cogent, organized argument, but that work occurs in the classroom, away from the public. Parents are always amazed at the boys’ abilities to speak confidently and knowledgably in front of a panel of attorneys. The students don’t stand and deliver a memorized speech. They question witnesses, challenge evidence and deliver a passionate argument supporting their legal position. The students develop the ability to cogently address questions posed by a judicial panel. The skills they learn actually benefit them the rest of their lives, whatever path the future takes,” explains Bender. One of the secrets weapons of the program is the courtroom that is housed on the first floor of the school right inside the front entrance. Yes, we have a courtroom!
FALL/WINTER 2013
Daniel Breyer Matt Chaser Michael Cioffi Taylor Ehrman (’11) Robert Ernst (’00) Eric Fehr (’02) William Flynn (’78) Chris Hendy (’04) Brian Hurley Hon. Daniel Haughey (’93) Mike Kelly Clay Miller (’10) Tony Nardini (’95) Brian Redmond (’10) Shannon Reynolds William Russo (’73) Max Schneider (’06) Jack Scott (’78) Amy Searcy Kevin Tierney Jason Tonne (’96)
S T. X A V I E R H I G H S C H O O L M A G A Z I N E
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