For the third tiome in its four years of competition, the Fitchburg High School mock trial team has advanced to the (state) quarterfinals. The team was scheduled to face Boston English High School, a three time defending champion, at 3:30 today in Framingham District Court.
The FHS team knew better than to expect an easy foe in this round. It would either "face the three-time defending champions, or the team that beat the three-time defending champions," said Chris Mailloux, the only four-year veteran of the 13 member team.
"And these kids do a million other things," said team adviser James Lallas, an English teacher at the school. "They're in tennis, they're in drama, they're musicians. There are kids who work full weeks, so it is really tough.
Team members prepare for months, and as a competition approaches they meet more and more frequently to plan and rehearse. "Members have met almost every day recently," Lallas said, "and earn no extra credit for their dedication."
The students are modest about their successes in the courtroom, scoring points by citing real case law to real trial judges. But every once in a while an eye gleams with satisfaction.
For Melissa Fregosi, 17, the gleam comes as she explains her role in giving the closing arguments. After a day of testimony, cross-examination and deliberation in a complicated case of sexual harrassment, it all comes down to her. Finally she is able to step in front of the podium, not behind it, placing her notes on the table beside her. She refers to them only once during her powerful speech.
"People come to the plate in ways you wouldn't expect. She won the competition for us," said Lallas, referring to the April 2 mock trial at Ware District Court. "She won the district championship, really. We won by one point."
"I'm shy most of the time, and I've wanted to work on my public speaking," Fregosi said. "Now I've closed five times. I'm more confident. Now I get up and do it."
Lallas was also enthusiastic about the performance of Jeffery St. Jean, 18, who gave a brilliant cross-examination, Lallas said. However, St. Jean was surprised that he participated at all. "I thought I would join the team and just do strategy, but I wound up having to get up in court," St. Jean said. "The team's too small."
There are 150 teams in Massachusetts, ranging from 10 to 20 members. One court case is replayed throughout the competition, from district playoffs to the national championship, but the teams have to know both sides of the case; they never know until the day of competition whether they will argue the prosecution or the defense.
That's why many teams have two sets of student competitors, but members of the FHS team are often forced to double up. Mailloux delivers the opening argument for the side the team is playing that day. Another student alternately plays the accussed and the mother of the girl accusing her.
"We have a 14-year old who cries on the stand when she remembers what happened to her friend," Lassas said, a trick that has impressed judges. "Pretty amazing."
Several students report the same sensation: They forget they're acting, that they're working on a school project, and lose themselves in the moment. "I think of it as a trial. I lose all concept of time and get real focused on what's going on," said Mailloux, who has been accepted as a pre-law student at Boston University. Before his trial team experience, he had intended to study business.
Even as they enter the final stretch of the school year, team members are enthusiastic about the competition and possibly going on to the national finals, although the team would have to raise some $5000 to go. But there's no question; if the team makes it to the national finals, Lallas plans to compete, despite the cost. "Oh, yes, he said, "if I have to beg for the money."