Rochester Review
May-June 2010
Vol. 72, No. 5
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Departments
In Review
PHOTO MOCKUP: Mock Trial team members include Charles Edwards ’12, Konstantin Nadirashvili ’13, Travis Talerico ’13, Alina Rozenfeld ’13, Hannah Sherry ’13, Amanda Rosemore ’12, Jason Scheff ’10, Yoni Bokser ’12, Peter Dierkes ’11; Conor Reynolds ’12, Dinisha Fernando ’10, Andrew Cashmore ’10, Brittany Crowley ’10, Andrew Debbins ’12. (Photo: Adam Fenster)You can’t mock success.
That could be the unofficial motto of the University’s Mock Trial team, some of whose members earned a place among the top contenders at this spring’s national championships. After placing in the top six during the opening round of the American Mock Trial Association’s championship, the team finished 17th nationally.
The achievement marked the second time in four years that the undergraduate team, which doesn’t have a faculty coach, qualified for the national championships.
“We’re really trying to get our name out there and solidify longevity for the program,” says Brittany Crowley ’10, who has been a team member since her freshman year.
A total of 17 undergraduates participate in the organization and represent themselves as two teams at regional and national competitions throughout the year. The competitions feature a hypothetical case scenario to test each team’s knowledge of courtroom procedures, mastery of case facts, and ability to examine witnesses and deliver opening and closing remarks. Teams must prepare both prosecution and defense arguments and practice by acting out courtroom proceedings, taking on the roles of witnesses, prosecution lawyers, and defense lawyers.
Both Rochester teams advanced to the opening round of the national tournament and one group of eight represented Rochester at national finals in Memphis, Tenn.
At the national championships, Jason Scheff ’10 and Dinisha Fernando ’10 received All-American Witness honors.
Melissa Greco Lopes writes about student affairs for University Communications.
