For Immediate Release

Monday, Feb. 12, 2018

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Hull High School’s Mock Trial Team Completes Successful Season

HULL — Whether discussing the merits of veganism, or the best video game in the Legends of Zelda series, the 17 students who make up Hull High School’s Mock Trial team know how to make a case.

Led by English teacher Cooper Marshall and attorney coach Eric Hipp, the team includes junior James Barone, freshman Saxon Birnstiel, junior Andrew DelGuidice, junior Michael DelGuidice, sophomore Ashley Dwyer, junior Gabe Egan, junior Ben Fenelon, freshman Fionn Krahforst, junior Jillian Maxwell, junior Emma Mulvihill, junior Marienn Mulvihill, senior Kasey Mullenhoff, junior Katie Punchard, freshman Nolan Tiani, sophomore Haven Veraguas, junior Michael Welch and junior Olivia Whitman.

Despite the challenges posed this season by the loss of half of their teammates when last year’s seniors graduated, the team walked away from their final competition victorious.  

This year’s case featured a fictional civil life insurance policy dispute, where students dug into theories of murder, jealous stepchildren and a potentially fake suicide note. In each competition, one team takes on the role of the prosecution or plaintiff and the other group argues for the defense. Strict courtroom guidelines regarding language and decorum must be followed, and students must be able to recall more than a dozen rules regarding hearsay, evidence and what to do when the opposing team cries, “Objection!”

Mock trials were held at Boston District Court. On Jan. 19, during the meet against Norwell High School, and Jan. 24, against Thayer Academy, Hull High School lost by less than five points, but were able to come back at the conclusion of the season with a win against Rockland High School on Feb. 2.

In March, the Hull Rotary Club will be sponsoring a banquet and awards ceremony for the HHS Mock Trial team. Awards will be given out for Best Attorney Performance, Best Witness Performance and Most Improved.

“We’re very proud of the team and how much they’ve accomplished this year,” Principal Paula Girouard McCann said. “This extracurricular group is a great way for students who are interested in legal studies to learn more about state laws and our court system.”

The HHS Mock Trial team hopes to continue their momentum into next season with their sights set on attending the national mock trial seminar at Harvard University in the fall.

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