East Islip High School’s mock trial team had an exciting and highly successful 2023-2024 season, winning rounds against West Islip, Babylon, Kings Park and Deer Park and qualifying for the playoffs. They won the Sweet 16 on March 13, then advanced to the Suffolk County quarterfinals on March 20, where East Islip finished in the top eight in the county.

The New York State High School Mock Trial Program is an educational competition in which high school students gain firsthand knowledge of law and courtroom procedures while acting as attorneys and witnesses in a criminal trial. East Islip social studies teacher Patsy Lester established the team in 2000 and has coached East Islip every year since with the help of attorney and East Islip resident Brian C. Mitchell. EI graduates who participated in mock trial have gone on to compete in college mock trial for top colleges and universities, and many have gone on to law school and successful careers in law.

“This was one of the most talented groups I have ever had,” Lester said. “I was so impressed by their performance and couldn’t be prouder if they were state champs. I’m looking forward to next year already. We are especially grateful that superintendent Manzo and assistant superintendent Belz came to watch the playoff round at District Court on March 20.”