Part of Manhattan University’s Mock Trial Association at regionals.
@MANHATTAN_UNIVERSITY_MOCKTRIAL / INSTAGRAM
Sarah Rolka, Asst. Features Editor
Manhattan University’s (MU) Mock Trial Association competed regionals on March 1 at Seton Hall University, delivering a strong performance that secured the team a spot at the Midlands tournament next year.
MU’s mock trial team has been active for the past four years and operates largely as a student-run organization. The team’s recent performance reflects its continued growth and development as a program.
Eleanor Sak, a junior pre-law political science major with minors in English and religious studies, serves as vice president of MU’s mock trial team and competed as an attorney at regionals. She spoke about her experience joining the team this year and what it was like working with the team and competing at regionals.
“I started this year… It’s been amazing, I wouldn’t trade it for anything,” Sak said. “It’s definitely a lot of work, but the outcome of it is worth all the work.”
Vivian Nartey, a senior communications major with a psychology minor, competed as both an attorney and a witness at regionals. She reflected on her experience with MU’s mock trial, particularly noting her perspective as a member since the program’s first year.
“I was on that first team [when the program initially started],” Nartey said. “I feel like I’ve always been kind of interested in law. At the time there wasn’t any sort of pre-law [program] or clubs like mock trial… [But] since then it’s been so much fun.”
The team faced several setbacks this year, particularly with commitment, as multiple members dropped out, forcing the team to quickly rework the case and trial. Sak noted that, although they ultimately pulled through, the challenges at times made it feel like they were “starting from scratch.”
“When we started this year we had around 20 people who auditioned for mock trial,” Sak said. “Then a month and a half before competitions, we lost pretty much everyone. So we had to rebuild the team, rework the case and it took a lot of preparation, especially the days leading up to [regionals].”
Nartey agreed and added on that even with challenges, the team has had that passion to keep going.
“We’re pretty much fully student-run,” Nartey said. “[It] has been a learning experience [with] a lot of challenges, but it’s really fun and I feel that ultimately we all have a shared love of mock trial and law so it comes together so seamlessly.”
Even with their recent successes, MU’s Mock Trial team operates with limited funding as a student club. Nartey expressed optimism that the team’s achievements could help them gain the resources needed to take their performance to the next level.
“I just know how good this past team is,” Nartey said. “The potential that they have, and if we just get the funding, the resources… it would be great.”
Adriane Bilous, Ph.D., associate director of the Center for the Graduate School and Fellowship and pre-law advisor, recognized the students’ efforts in building the team and commended them for their accomplishments.
“They do so much of the work,” Bilous said. “I am just there whenever they need someone to step in… and make sure they have all the materials, resources and support they need to succeed.”
Bilous also recognized the leadership of Amy Foster, the team’s president, for helping the Mock Trial team advance and strengthen its performance.
“I think that is something that is fabulous to see that we’ve taken this idea and Amy [Foster] now is really trying to push us out to become, not just competitive with the local schools, but getting picked up and invited to some of these competitions outside of regionals,” Bilous said.
For future seasons, the team plans to begin preparations sooner to build momentum and maximize their potential.
“We got so many amazing people that are super dedicated to our team and are coming back for next season,” Sak said. “We’re going to start a lot earlier this year.”
Bilous added that the team’s current drive is key to pushing their progress. She also emphasized that newer members should step up to help maintain and build on that growth.
“Now that we have the momentum, [this is] how we’re going to keep it going,” Bilous said. “We need younger members, even students who are interested but haven’t been a part [of mock trial], to really come together to be able to keep this team moving forward.”