Lower Cape May Regional Mock Trial Team Accepts Trophy at Law Day Ceremony

COURT HOUSE – Persistence and practice paid dividends for Lower Cape May Regional High School’s Mock Trial Team. The coveted trophy for the 2017 Mock Trial Champions was held high by team members as Superior Court judges congratulated them on Law Day, May 4. 
The title had been held by Middle Township High School in recent years.
Attorney-coach Barbara Bakley-Marino told the gathering that during the Christmas break, when many students travel or take a leave from schoolwork; the Mock Trial team opted to hone their courtroom skills. That diligence was rewarded in January when the team won the title.
Brian McEwing, president of the Cape May County Bar Association, which hosted the event along with the Cape May County Superior Court, introduced Superior Court Vicinage 1 Assignment Judge Julio Mendez.
Mendez spoke of the importance of the 14th Amendment, and the role the courts play in society. He cited other Law Week events in the Atlantic-Cape Vicinage, which included a naturalization ceremony in Atlantic County when 25 new United States citizens took their oath of allegiance. He said a similar ceremony would be held in Cape May County next year.
Team members honored included Delanie Panczner, Samantha Frohman, Carson Prince, Jack Sandman, Daniel Cristelo, Jessica Alexander, Julia Gindville, Avery Dowe, Alexander and Catherine Miller.
Teacher Coach Tom Higgins and Assistant Coach Joseph McKenna was cited, as was Bakley-Marino, former county counsel.
Superior Court judges offering congratulations were Mendez, John Porto, Christopher Gibson, Michael Donohue and James Pickering.
Cape May County Municipal Court Presiding Judge Louis J. Belasco, Jr. joined to shake each student’s hand.
Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak (D-1st), a Lower Cape May Regional graduate, represented the First District legislators on offering the team continued success in their future trials.
Freeholder Jeffrey Pierson represented the board on offering congratulations.
Others who lauded the team’s work were Constitutional officers County Clerk Rita Fulginiti, Surrogate M. Susan Sheppard, and Undersheriff Robert Nolan, who represented Sheriff Gary Schaffer.
First Law Day Essay Contest
For the first time, the Cape May County Bar Association sponsored an essay contest based on the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.
All three winners were from Dennis Township Middle School.
First place was won by Morgan Kern; second place, Jake Bryan; and third place by Mackenzie Butto.