The William Floyd Middle School Mock Trial team, under the guidance of advisors Paul Tolksdorf and Taylor Pierce, participated in the Western Suffolk BOCES Long Island Mock Trial Tournament at Suffolk County Community College. The teams engaged in the tournament were evaluated by professional judges, prosecutors, and trial lawyers.
During the tournament, the WFMS team competed against Brentwood and Massapequa, tackling a mock lawsuit centered on a potential assault in a park. The defense and plaintiff sides showcased strong performances, gaining approval from the presiding judges. The judges acknowledged the students for their strategic approach and resourceful thinking.
The WFMS defense team, consisting of 8th graders Gianna Formato, Isabella Maurer, and Sean Richardson, was supported by star witnesses Alexia Fontanez (8th grade), Alisson Romero (7th grade), and detective Olivia Weiss (7th grade). The plaintiff was represented by attorneys Kenlyn Mule (8th grade), An Nguyen (7th grade), and Kayleigh Scheifele (7th grade) with testimony from witnesses Olivia Chen (7th grade), Derek DeMuria (6th grade), and Kejsi Nexhi (7th grade).
Mr. Tolksdorf remarked on the students' dedication, stating, “The students were so focused on achieving success, they were still brainstorming and strategizing on the bus ride to the tournament.” The students' preparation and enthusiasm were evident as they earned commendations throughout the competition.
The judges appreciated Isabella Maurer's introduction of photographic exhibits and Gianna Formato's application of the “hearsay legal principle.” An Nguyen and Kayleigh Scheifele effectively managed cross-examinations for the plaintiff, while Sean Richardson's questioning destabilized the defense. Kenlyn Mule's closing remarks and Olivia Weiss's response to questioning were notable moments for the WFMS defense side.
The team's preparation involved extensive work with their advisors, covering witness depositions, photographic evidence, police reports, and other vital materials. According to Ms. Pierce, “Each student assigned to be a witness role-plays a character in the case and has to memorize every detail of their testimony.” The teamwork fostered by the students was evident in their collective effort.
Mr. Tolksdorf said, “We started the year as sixth graders, seventh graders, and eighth graders attempting to learn what Mock Trial was. But when we entered that courtroom on Wednesday, it was evident we had become a lean, mean trial machine. The students were all business. We were ready.”
The William Floyd Middle School Mock Trial team demonstrated significant skill and teamwork throughout the tournament.