COVINGTON TWP, Pa., November 8th, 2024- North Pocono High School offers a multitude of sports, clubs, and other after school activities so that every student can fulfill their desires based on their specific interests. One of North Pocono’s most dominant and successful extracurriculars is the Mock Trial team. The North Pocono Mock Trial team is coached by Ms. DiMartino and Attorney Curt Parkins, and this season they are striving to accomplish even more than the last.
The Mock Trial season spans throughout the entire school year, making it last about ten months. The season also spills into the summer for the members that are fortunate enough to compete at the higher level. Coach DiMartino aims to, “…build on our success from last season.” Last year, the team earned titles at the Monroe Country Invitational and the University of Pennsylvania’s Benjamin Franklin Invitational, an extremely prestigious competition. Senior Noah Geck has been on the team since his freshman year and devoted this past summer to traveling the country facing off against competitors from around the world- “Mock Trial has been something that has grounded and defined me as I advanced through high school. It has allowed me to meet so many people and make so many memories.” Noah hopes to pursue law after high school and has gained the necessary skills and experience through the Mock Trial program.
Although the team has accomplished many outstanding honors and awards, the triumphs did not come easily. Coach DiMartino is on her twelfth season of Mock Trial, and surprisingly regards the team’s toughest competition to be at the district level. “We have tried over the years to advance out of the area but despite adapting and enhancing our performances, we have not been able to crack the code of what they are looking for to tip the scales in our favor.” The district that North Pocono competes in also houses the current defending state champions, Abington Heights Mock Trial team, which makes it very difficult to advance past the area. Last year, the team fell to their rival in an extremely close matchup, so this year they are motivated to beat them and advance to the national court. The team has not won a state championship since 1993; however, they have competed in equally challenging tournaments and are gaining more experience than in their past seasons.
As the mock trial season continues, Coach DiMartino and all the members are extremely excited to fly to Chicago, Illinois and compete in one of the largest tournaments of the year. Judging that this style of tournament is a once in a lifetime opportunity for most players, Coach DiMartino is “Very proud of the team and all their hard work to build our program to what it is today.” Vamos Trojans!
