Sacred Heart Academy Places 3rd in State Finals in Albany

Back in mid-March, Sacred Heart won the Erie County Mock Trial tournament as reported in a news article posted below and earned the right to compete in the regional Mock Trial tournament held in Mayville on April 30, 2011.  Despite the long delay between competitions, Sacred Heart's Mock Trial team members diligently honed their skills in evening practice sessions, and the effort paid off.  Sacred Heart won the regional Mock Trial tournament on Saturday, April 30, and earned the opportunity to represent the Western New York region in the final competition for the state title.

Six regions in New York State participated in the State Mock Trial tournament held in Albany on May 22-24.  SHA's Mock Trial team did an amazing job and impressed many people who watched their trials.  They almost made the final two, finishing just a bit short taking the #3 spot.

We can be quite proud of this team and their accomplishments.  Congratulations, ladies for a great season!

To recap: 

• The regional competition was held in the Chautauqua County Courthouse in Mayville and four western counties participated.  SHA's team, representing Erie County, faced off against Jamestown High School from Chautauqua County first, and, after defeating them, entered the second round and won the competition against Batavia High School from Genesee County. In the afternoon, Sacred Heart advanced to the final round where they competed against the defending regional titleholder, Brighton High School from Monroe County, with the Honorable Judge Eugene F. Pigott presiding. After a vigorous competition, Sacred Heart's Mock Trial team emerged victorious and will now advance to the state competition.
• 
  Earlier this year, Sacred Heart defeated Amherst High School in the final round of Erie County's competition held in Erie County Supreme Court, where Judge Henry Nowak presided.
• After winning the Erie County finals, the team was feted at the Bar Association's annual Law Day luncheon on April 28 and presented with the Mock Trial trophy to be housed at Sacred Heart for the year.
• 
  This year's case involves a student who sues the village of Empireville for violating his /her due process rights. The mayor and Board of Trustees of the village revoked the student’s parking permit; and the student, Pat Parker, brought a declaratory judgment suit challenging the constitutionality of the amendment to the municipal parking code.

Members of SHA's successful Mock Trial Team are:

Attorneys for the Defense: 

• Hillary Chiarella
• Maggie McGuire
• Sarah Whittington

Witnesses for the Defense:

• Emily Ludwig
• Meredith McCaffrey
• Katherine Rivard

Plaintiff Attorneys:

• Megan Elman
• Meredith McCaffrey
• Clara Wu

Plaintiff Witnesses:

• Hillary Chiarella
• Elizabeth Feeley
• Anna Huebschmann

Additional Team Members:

• Emily Anderson, Alternate Witness
• Elizabeth Anderson, Alternate Witness
• Robin Graziano, Alternate Witness
• Sarah Militello, Team Manager
• Colleen Mroz, Alternate Witness

Mock Trial Brings Home Another Erie County Championship!

On Wednesday night, March 16, Sacred Heart Academy was the winning defense in the 2011 Erie County High School Mock Trial Championship contest against plaintiff Amherst High School.  This year thirty-two high schools participated in the Erie County Bar Association's Mock Trial competition.  SHA's Mock Trial team now advances to the regional contest (where 6 western counties compete) in late April. The winner of the regional contest will then compete for the state championship in late May.

This is the fifth time Sacred Heart has won the Erie County Mock Trial Championship over the past 8 years since Mrs. Nancy Brady, SHA English teacher, took over as Mock Trial Coach in 2004 with her attorney husband Michael Brady acting as law advisor.

Click here for the Buffalo News article about the Erie County Mock Trial Championship