Dynasty Continues: Mendham HS Team Wins County Mock Trial Competition Again

MENDHAM, NJ — For the 19th year in a row, West Morris Mendham High School's team had the winning arguments in the county's Mock Trial Competition.

County commissioners, local lawyers, judicial officers, and others congratulated the team during a Law Day celebration on May 1 in the historic courtroom at the county courthouse in Morristown.

This year's county competition ended with Mendham High School earning a favorable decision against Morristown's Delbarton School for the second year in a row, said Principal Steve Ryan in his spring newsletter. Leading the team were Senior Attorneys Ashley Cespedes (prosecution), Zadie Weaver (defense), and Campbell Portland (both prosecution and defense).

The West Morris Mendham team members also include Ashley Cespedes, Campbell Portland, Zadie Weaver, Jaira Pierre-Louis, Olivia Piacenti, Ryan Smith, Nathan Acheampong, Colin Stolarski, Anthony Khakhiashvili and Sophia D’Auria.

Teacher Eric Heditsch is in his 25th year coaching the squad, and attorney William Connelly has volunteered his counsel for 21 years.

Commissioner Thomas Mastrangelo spoke of the county's pride in the Mendham High School team, noting their history of winning both county and state competitions.

"Mock trials encourage critical thinking and analytical skills," he said, adding that it was a "privilege" to honor "young leaders who excel in these skills."

More than 215 teams (3,400 students) participated in this year's Vincent J. Apruzzese High School Mock Trial Competitions, organized by the New Jersey State Bar Foundation.

The Mendham team has won the state competition six times, with the last one being in 2021/22; Clifton High School won it this year.

The Morris County Bar Association and Morris County Bar Foundation sponsored the ceremony to honor the team along with the Morris/Sussex Superior Court Vicinage and Office of the Ombudsman.

Retired Appellate Division judge Mary Gibbons Whipple gave the keynote speech at the Law Day celebration, and discussed how New Jersey has made steps in protecting the right to vote — including protections for poll workers.

Law Day, which was established by President Dwight D. Eisenhower in 1958, is a national day of "dedication to the principles of government under law.” This year's Law Day theme was "Voices of Democracy."

The State Bar Foundation also sponsored a Courtroom News Reporter competition for the first time this year; Chatham High School student Teesta Bhola-Shah won that competition and will represent the state in national competition.