This year, Scotia-Glenville High School revived its Mock Trial Club after more than a decade, coming just one win away from qualifying for the New York State Mock Trial Championships.

The club, mainly comprising freshmen and juniors, eagerly anticipates next year’s season.

Students take it all the way to the James T. Foley U.S. Courthouse

Jason Frament, a trial lawyer and proud parent, expressed immense joy in mentoring the team from his alma mater. “It was truly a pleasure to witness the students’ growth,” he said. “The confidence they exhibited was exceptional. And it wasn’t just the students, but Ms. DeMento and Ms. Healy, as advisors of the program, worked tirelessly to ensure the students had the best possible opportunity to compete, and it certainly showed.”

In their journey to the final match of the Regional Championship at the Federal Courthouse of the Northern District of New York, the SGHS Mock Trial Club won the first round against Albany High School and succumbed in the final round to Augustine Classical Academy from Mechanicville. Before reaching regionals, Scotia-Glenville triumphed over four other schools in the county: Niskayuna, Mohonasen, Duanesburg, and Amsterdam. 

“These students were so thrilled to learn how trials work, understand the law, and master the art of effectively cross-examining witnesses that they exceeded my expectations, establishing themselves as the best team in Schenectady County, as well as in Albany County, with only one win setting them apart from being the best team in the region. All of this hard work was done after school and on weekends, during times when sporting events conflicted with mock trial practice,” said Mr. Frament. 

The idea for the Mock Trial Club emerged when 11th-grade student Nicole Fernandez approached Ms. DeMento about starting a new club. Initially, Nicole proposed a debate club, but Principal Bednarek suggested considering a mock trial club. Principal Bednarek set up a meeting with Mohonasen’s Mock Trial Club advisor and that played a pivotal role in S-G proceeding with their own mock trial team. “Scott Sabourin generously shared insights about Mohonasen’s club and answered all our questions and really made us feel like this was something we could, and should, definitely do,” said Andrea DeMento. “I can’t even begin to tell you how proud I am of everyone involved. Their bravery, their strength, and their dedication made Scotia-Glenville so successful, she said.”