Ricordia: MMA Mock Trial: From Merion Station to Harrisburg

by Valentina Tartaglini '29

“No work of charity can be more productive of good to society than the careful instruction of women.” --Catherine McAuley

Merion Mercy Academy's Mock Trial program is one of the school’s most frequently participated in student life activities. Students in their freshman to senior year have the opportunity to join and attend Saturday practices to prepare for  competitions. Annually, Merion Mercy Academy hosts a Gold versus Blue scrimmage between the school's main teams. Students also compete at the University of Pennsylvania and the Pennsylvania Bar Association at the Delaware County Courthouse. If students win their district competition at the Pennsylvania Bar Association, they move on to regional competitions. Merion Mercy Academy's Gold 1team is one of the best teams in the entire state of Pennsylvania, winning not only district but also regional competitions. They competed at the state level in Harrisburg earlier this month. 

This year, the case focused on one medical malpractice; in fact, this was the first time that the Pennsylvania Bar Association had ever given high schoolers a medical malpractice case. The plaintiff was Bo Bridger, an incapacitated young adult who ate raw game meat after following dietary advice that she saw on the internet and was later diagnosed with trichniosis. The defendant was Dr. Colter's Family Medicine Practice LLP , who treated Bo Bridger at the time she had trichinosis. The plaintiff's mother, Jaime Bridger, as well as an employee of the practice and the doctor who eventually diagnosed Bo, alleged that the practice was more than capable of recognizing that Bo had something seriously wrong with her other than a common cold. The defense, however, issued a counterclaim, stating that there was no way they could have known that Bo had eaten a real fox as she never informed them of this. They also claimed that trichinosis is a very rare illness that is only diagnosed when doctors know that their patients have eaten raw meat in the woods.

Members of the Gold 1 team included Shayla Adams ‘26, Maggie White ‘27, Giovanna Girardi ‘27, Sophia Leuzzi ‘27,  Colette Remy ‘26, Willow Matthews ‘28, Allison Mazur ‘27, Lyla Otis ‘27, Angelina Qualtiere ‘26, Caroline Perlick ‘27, Emily Smith ‘26, and Nicolette Whitehawk ‘27. 

Attorney Giovanna Girardi commented on the sisterhood that Mock Trial provides saying, “My favorite memory of the Mock Trial team was the drive home from regionals after we won! We got Chick-fil-A, we did karaoke the entire ride home and everyone was so excited! The defense ladies absolutely killed it that day; I was so excited for them!” 

As students are working on the case nearly every weekend from November to at least February, strong bonds and sisterhood are developed through debate, critical thinking, and shared experiences. Nicolette Whitehawk’27 commented, “It was such an amazing opportunity to represent Merion with some of my best friends. I've been working with my co-council for the past three years, so it was a really amazing opportunity and experience to compete at such a high level. On top of all of that, it was so much fun to spend extra time with my team and the broader mock trial community!” 

The enthusiasm of participants was heavily noted. According to Gold 1 coach and Social Studies teacher Charles Jordan, “Everyone really showed up for each other, which just made the whole team much stronger. Even when we had setbacks, everyone stepped up to support each other and grow from the experience.” He later called the girls phenomenal leaders and role models as well as the “perfect example” for the underclassmen Blue team. This year was also the first time all three teams (Gold 1, Gold 2, and Blue) advanced to district playoffs. Mr. Jordan finished by saying, “ I also love how many talented new members we welcomed this year and I can't wait to see where the team goes from here. It's a really exciting time for Merion Mock Trial!”