Mock Trial Team Wins 'Best of' and Honorable Mention Awards
Nineteen students representing The University of Scranton participated in the American Mock Trial Association Regional Competition, which took place at American University, in Washington, D.C., and competed with teams from Yale, Fordham, Swarthmore, American and Catholic University of America, among other colleges and universities. A team of Scranton students won Honorable Mention and two students, Amanda J. Karpiak and Emilia R. Tobey, won Best Witness awards.A team of University of Scranton students earned Honorable Mention and two students received individual “Best of” awards at the American Mock Trial Association Regional Competition, which took place at American University, in Washington, D.C., in February. The Scranton students competed with teams from Yale, Fordham, Swarthmore, American and Catholic University of America, among other colleges and universities.
Amanda J. Karpiak, a history major from Scranton, and Emilia R. Tobey, a criminal justice major from Scotch Plains, New Jersey, won Best Witness awards.
Students on the team that won Honorable Mention at the competition were: Priscila L. Caetano, Yonkers, New York, a criminal justice major; Megan G. Davis, Lansdale, a nursing major; Philip Gelso, Duryea, a political science and philosophy double major; John V. Jaeger, Lansdale, a history major; Sean H. Kavanagh, White Plains, New York, a history and philosophy double major; Jake A. Marchese, Leonardo, New Jersey, a criminal justice major; Ayman F. Mounota, Dunmore, a biology major; Patrick M. O’Malley, Peckville, a history and accounting double major; Brigida M. Sarcona, Staten Island, New York, a criminal justice major; and Emilia Tobey.
Also participating in the competition were Scranton students: Brigid R. Carlin, Portsmouth, Rhone Island, a political science and economics double major; Brian J. Castrogiovanni, (team co-captain) Moscow, a political science and public policy and service double major; Jacob G. Dawson, Westminster, Maryland, a chemistry and mathematical sciences double major; William T. Gardiner, Wyncote, a finance major; Grace V. Lennox, Peckville, a political science and philosophy double major; Buse Z. Onat, South Abington Township, a cybercrime and homeland security and philosophy double major; Gabriella G. Petti, (team co-captain) Verona, New Jersey, a communication and philosophy double major; Maria Stephen, Huntingdon Valley, a political science, history and philosophy triple major; and Amanda Karpiak.
Scranton’s Mock Trial teams are facilitated by its Pre-Law Advisory Program of the College of Arts and Sciences.
Jason A. Shrive, Esq., faculty specialist in the University’s Department of Criminal Justice, Cybersecurity and Sociology, serves as the faculty advisor for the mock trial team, which is assisted by two volunteer attorney coaches: 1972 University of Scranton graduate Sidney J. Prejean, Esq.; and Nathan Hartman, Esq., assistant public defender, Luzerne County.
