Annual Law Day Celebrates Mock Trial Students
SARATOGA SPRINGS – The Saratoga County Bar Association held its annual Law Day luncheon at the Canfield Casino, Saratoga Springs on April 30. The event celebrated the seven local high schools that participated in the NYS Annual Statewide Mock Trial Competition, the largest mock trial competition in the nation.
At the event, the Saratoga County Bar Association’s Liberty Bell Award was presented to Code Blue Saratoga, an emergency homeless shelter serving the needs of Saratoga County. The organization was nominated by Saratoga County District Attorney Karen Heggen, who also presented the award.
Code Blue Saratoga Coordinator Cheryl Ann Murphy-Parant accepted the award on behalf of the organization. “We’re grateful to have the recognition of the [Saratoga County] Bar Association for what we’ve done for the community and for people who would have otherwise gone unsheltered in winter,” said Murphy-Parant. “And it was terrific to receive the award in a room full of these great students and have the opportunity to let them know what Code Blue is.”
The keynote address was provided by attorney E. Stewart Jones, Jr., Esq., who was introduced by Karen E.S. D’Andrea, Esq., President of the Saratoga County Bar Association.
The teams represented Saratoga Springs High School, Saratoga Central Catholic High School, Shenendehowa High School, Corinth High School, Augustine Classical Academy, Schuylerville High School and Waterford-Halfmoon High School. Competition is co-sponsored by the New York State Bar Association's Committee on Citizenship and Education, The New York State Bar Foundation, the New York State Education Department, and local bar associations.
The mock trial competition was held throughout the months of February, March and May. Saratoga Central Catholic High School won the competition to become the Saratoga County Champion.