Two groups of dedicated students deserve the spotlight this week. As I’m sure you have heard, the MTHS Mock Trial Team took the state title on March 27. With nine wins, one loss, so far this year, MTHS defeated last year’s champ, Kittantinny Regional School of Sussex County. The team was greeted home on March 27 by a police and fire escort through town, to honor their win.
In the 24-year history of the Vincent J. Apruzzesse Mock Trial Competition, the school has been close many times, but never came away with a NJ championship. They made it to the regionals four out of the last five years, and in 2006 the team was a regional South Jersey Champion and second place state title winner.
The New Jersey State Bar Association paid for them to attend the American Mock Trial Invitational at UNC Chapel Hill, NC, that year, where MTHS placed second in the nationals.
2007 could be the year the team makes it all the way. With the state title under their belt, a national title would be sweet icing on the cake. It will be for no lack of practicing if they don’t get the frosting, as the 12-member team has been spending intense hours on their skills almost every day since October for the three-day national championships slated for May 2 to 4.
“This success is a culmination of all the dedicated students who have ever been a part of my program,” cited social studies teacher and nine-year coach, Martina Trapani.
“This activity isn’t just for those who plan to be future attorneys, in fact, I think of it as a critical thinking activity where students learn skills that will help them in a variety of careers. This activity positively influences students’ lives by helping them to hone their leadership, listening, speaking, writing, reading, and analyzing skills. I am so blessed to be a part of this activity with these special students. Each day I watch the light bulbs go off in their heads and each day I know just how much they have grown,” she noted.
With the new fictitious case just in, there’ll be something “mock trial” every day for the students until the national championship takes place. The bar association will pay for the New Jersey trip which will include a private tour of Ellis Island. Like Ellis Island, perhaps this will be the year MTHS Mock Trial Team takes its place in history.
When we talk about dedicated students, we can’t fail to mention the Middle Township Middle School Drama Club. Under the direction of Kay Aspell, the club put on three spectacular performances of “The Jungle Book” at the PAC on March 30 and 31. Between production staff, including seamstresses, builders and painters, to stage crew and actors, about two hundred parents, students and staff took part to produce the show.
Many hours were spent constructing a stunning set, sewing costumes, and learning the choreography and lines. There were plenty of days students left for school at 7:15 in the morning not to arrive back home until 9:15 at night. There certainly was no monkeying around as everyone involved went above and beyond the “bare necessities” to make this production of “The Jungle Book” one swinging success.