Two area students earn mock trial awards

Two area students were members of the Wyoming Seminary Mock Trial team that recently finished first in the 2020 Region 5, District 2 High School Mock Trial Competition at the Luzerne County Courthouse.

Sophomores Emily Aikens, of Jenkins Township, and Jacob Ruderman, of West Pittston, were members of the team and received awards based on outstanding performances in the courtroom.

Aikens received the Best Plaintiff Attorney Award and Best Defense Attorney Award. Ruderman received the Best Defense Witness Award.

The team will continue in competition against the champion team in Region 5, District 1, later this month.

Mock trial teams argue a hypothetical case before a judge and are evaluated based on their presentation, opening and closing arguments, direct and cross examination, poise and articulation, control of facts, and knowledge of mock trial rules of law and exceptions. Competitions involve two opposing high school teams who apply real-life statutes and case law to fictitious situations in a simulated trial setting.

Team members are coached by Attorney Michelle Quinn, and teacher-coaches Dr. Elizabeth Penland, Morgan Howard-Penland and Tom Morris.

Pictured are Wyoming Seminary mock trial team members. From left: junior Mya Dobrowolski, Allentown; sophomore Emily Aikens, Jenkins Township; junior Shailee Desai, Shavertown; presiding judge the Hon. Judge Joseph Sklarosky, Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County; junior Aaliyeh Sayed, Mountain Top; senior and team captain Jillayne Gumbs, Allentown; and sophomore Jacob Ruderman, West Pittston. Not present for photo: sophomore Sophia Kruger, Shavertown and sophomore Sophia Galante, Kingston.

https://www.psdispatch.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/web1_WyoSem_MockTrial_DistChamps_20.jpgPictured are Wyoming Seminary mock trial team members. From left: junior Mya Dobrowolski, Allentown; sophomore Emily Aikens, Jenkins Township; junior Shailee Desai, Shavertown; presiding judge the Hon. Judge Joseph Sklarosky, Court of Common Pleas of Luzerne County; junior Aaliyeh Sayed, Mountain Top; senior and team captain Jillayne Gumbs, Allentown; and sophomore Jacob Ruderman, West Pittston. Not present for photo: sophomore Sophia Kruger, Shavertown and sophomore Sophia Galante, Kingston. Submitted photo