Personal Perspectives

The Mock Trial team learned a lot -- and had a lot of fun -- this year. Student attorneys, witnesses, and paralegals on the defense and prosecution sides started preparing for the competition in October with the help of our coach, Mrs. Pasko. The witnesses studied their statements, drilled direct examinations, and quizzed each other to get ready for cross-examinations. Meanwhile, the attorneys wrote their opening statements and questions, preparing for the daunting task of dismantling our opponents’ case theory to solidify our own. It was all worthitwhenourteamcompetedattheMorristown Courthouse in February before a student jury, a judge, and an anxious audience of Villa fans. We advancedtothequarterfinalround!

As the president of Soul Sisters, I have loved watching the club branch out from its beginnings last year.Wehavesharedfaithandfriendshipwhilewework to brighten our Villa sisters’ days. I’ll miss meeting with ouramazingteam,butIcan’twaittoseewhattheydoin thefuture!

Senior Title Winners

Co-captain Molly McHugh ’23, who has been on the team since her freshman year, said, “I’m really thankful for Mock Trial because it helped me come out of my shell, meet upperclassmen, and speak while thinking on my feet.” Co-captain Brigid McGlone ’23 adds, “It’s great! It’s a great way to improve your reading comprehension and presentation skills, butmoreimportantly,it’sareallyfun competition. The team is always a really great group ofgirls,andwehaveagoodtimewithit.It’sgivenme some of my favorite memories at Villa.” Our team came so far and had so much fun together this year. MockTrial’sfutureatVillaisbright!

Seniorspreparefortherigorsofcollegewritingwitheveryessay;oneoftheelementsofagoodessayisagood title.Herearesomeofthebest,includingthosevotedonbytheseniorsthroughouttheyear:

● Is Honesty the Best Policy? Exploring Deceit and Friendship in The Naked Don’t Fear the Water

● It’s All in Your Head: The Power of One’s Mentality as Expressed by Unfinished

● When in Rome, Do as the Romans: The Sense of Culture in Secrets of the Sprakkar

● Oysters to the Rescue: How Oyster Communities Can Fix Puerto Rico’s Shoreline Disasters

● Drawing Away: Using Art Therapy to Resolve War Trauma Among Ukraine’s Children

● Hidden Stories: How Art Makes Syrian Refugees Feel Seen And Heard

● Like Father, Unlike Son: Protection in Purple Hibiscus

● The Face Makes the Case: How Corruption is Established Through Appearances in Purple Hibiscus

● Take Me to Church: How Papa Became a Sinner Trying to Become a Saint in Purple Hibiscus

● The Winner Takes It All: An Investigation of Games and Their Purpose in Purple Hibiscus

● 1 Murder Ordered! Delivery in 2-3 Business Days: Maxim de Winter and Mr. Favell as Representations of Immoral Business in Rebecca

● A Sexy Baby or a Monster on a Hill: The Battle to Mature as a Woman in Rebecca

● A Knight in Shining Rust: What King Lear’s Edmund and a Con Man Have in Common

● Contagious Corruption: Proximity to Power in King Lear and Carreyrou’s Bad Blood

● Now I Ain’t Sayin’ She a Gold Digger: Goneril and Regan’s Elder Abuse in King Lear