Law Day Celebrated; Middle Township Mock Trial Team Honored

COURT HOUSE – Law Day 2015, May 1, was celebrated at Cape May County Superior Court with activities and displays that began by honoring Middle Township High School’s Mock Trial team. The team won the county title earlier this year. The day was part of the Seventh Annual Law Fair hosted by the Cape May County Bar Association.
Gathered to bestow the honor with certificates and resolutions on the 13-member team was Assignment Judge Julio Mendez, Assemblyman Robert Andrzejczak (D-1st), and County Clerk Rita Fulginiti, who conveyed a Congressional document on behalf of U.S. Rep. Frank LoBiondo (R-2nd), and Freeholder E. Marie Hayes, a retired law enforcement officer.
Mendez recalled that a year prior, on Law Day in the Cape May County Administration Office, he had administered the Naturalization Oath to new citizens. This year, a similar ceremony was held at 11 a.m. that day in Atlantic County. Mendez said another naturalization ceremony would be held in Cape May County in 2016.
Reflecting upon the law, Mendez told the team what an important role the Magna Carta played in the law as it is known today. While that was 800 years ago, he said, it is important to remember that basis.
Other displays throughout the courthouse also mentioned the importance of the Magna Carta.
Middle Township School Superintendent Dr. David Salvo expressed his pride in the team realizing the many hours of preparation each member must spend on weekends and after school to help win the trophy. Showing support on behalf of Middle Township Board of Education was President Dennis M. Roberts and Burgess Hamer.
The team triumphed over county competitors in the January trials to win the county title. Teacher coach Martina Trapani reminded the team, and students from Margaret Mace School who watched the proceedings, that mock trial team members benefit regardless whether they go on to college and pursue law degrees, or simply learn how to speak well in public. She noted that 2016 will be her last year coaching the team.
After the team was photographed with all Judges Mendez, John Porto and J. Christopher Gibson, Trapani spent several minutes holding the trophy, reading the names of all the team members, and looking at others who helped win laurels in previous years, now in college seeking careers in law.
Team members included seniors: Morgon Goranson, who will attend University of Pennsylvania, Lauren Anderson, who will attend George Washington University and Victoria Shappell who will attend Rutgers University.
Also, Casie Salvadore, Kassandra Ramos, Nick Stella, Emma Carlson, Gabrielle Giuliano, Dillion Keller, Robert Cline, Tim Gear, Austin Hentges, Joe Scioli.
Attorney coach was Howard Trout. Alumni coaches were Nina Ranalli and Samantha Burkholder.
Douglas Burke, a Middle Township High School alumnus, president of the Cape May County Bar Association, welcomed the team and lauded their hard work to attain success. Joining to offer congratulations was James Moore, Mock Trial program coordinator.
Throughout the first floor hall and first-floor lobby were exhibits from various court, law enforcement and civic groups.
The was sponsored by the county Bar Association, co-sponsored by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation and made possible through funding from the IOLTA Fund of the Bar of New Jersey.