Opening Statement! Mock Trial Defeats Andover

Students dressed in professional attire in a courtroom

Jan 13 2026

The Central Catholic Mock Trial Team opened the 2026 season with a victory over Andover High School at the Massachusetts School of Law in Andover on January 12, 2026.

Kaleigh Davoli '27 led the way, earning 19 out of a possible 20 points.

Congratulations to the Central Catholic Mock Trial Team and to the coaches, Mr. Brian Flaherty, Social Studies Teacher, and Atty. Yolla (Haddad '98^PMA) Sabounji P'27, Frawley & Sabounji Law Group.

Since 1985, the Massachusetts Bar Association has hosted the annual, statewide Mock Trial Program to help high school students learn more about the law, court procedures, and our legal system, giving the students the opportunity to sharpen their analytical, listening and speaking skills.

Students prepare a hypothetical case and then test their skills as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated courtroom competition.

This year's case involves the death of an actresses on the set of a TV show called "Steeped in Mystery." The actresses, who had a severe almond allergy and a heart condition, drank tea that contained almond milk. Knowing she had an almond allergy, a fellow cast member rushed to administer her a shot of epinephrine and she later died. The question at hand was did she die from the almond allergy or because the epinephrine impacted her heart? That cast member who administered the epinephrine was charged with murder.

Members of the Massachusetts Bar Association serve as attorney coaches and judges for the Mock Trial Program, while thousands of high school students across Massachusetts participate.

Last year's Mock Trial Team had an undefeated regular season and advanced to the playoffs.

The Mock Trial Speaker Series

Mock Trial is sponsoring a speaker series where students will be introduced to Central Catholic parents who work in the judicial system.

The series launched on Monday, October 27, with Judge Raquel Ruano, P'26 & P'28.

Featured Speakers

October 27: Judge Raquel Ruano P'26 '28
November 17: Attorney Yolla (Haddad '98^PMA) Sabounji P'27
February 9: State Rep. Adrianne Ramos P'28
March 9: Assistant District Attorney Maureen Wilson ('94^PMA) Leal P'26 '28

Thank you to our second speaker (and coach), Attorney Sabounji!

Attorney Yolla (Haddad '98^PMA) Sabounji P'27

Partner, Frawley-Sabounji Law Firm

Attorney Yolla Sabounji is a partner at Frawley-Sabounji Law Firm n Lawrence and focuses on personal injury.

She spoke with students about her decision to go to law school, the challenges of the bar exam (which she passed on her first try!), and why she chose to go into private practice after a stint as an Assistant District Attorney in Essex County. She then took questions from the students.

Attorney Yolla Sabounji also serves as the Mock Trial Attorney Coach.

Attorney Sabounji earned her BB.S. (Criminal Justice & Psychology) from the University of Massachusetts and her J.D. from the Massachusetts School of Law.

For many years, Attorney Yolla Sabounji has been a fierce advocate for her clients, helping them obtain significant compensation and damages through jury verdicts, settlements, and administrative awards.

Thank you to our first speaker, Judge Ruano!

About Judge Ruano P'26 & P'28

Associate Justice, Massachusetts Trial Court

Judge Ruano was born in Guatemala and emigrated to the United States when she was four. She completed her undergraduate work at the College of the Holy Cross and received her law degree from Boston College Law School.

Since graduating from law school, Judge Ruano has had a varied and distinguished career. She has worked as a law clerk, a prosecutor for the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office, a defense attorney, and as the city attorney for the city of Lawrence.

Governor Charlie Baker nominated her to serve as Associate Justice of the District Court on April 6, 2022, and her nomination was confirmed on April 27, 2022.

Members of the Mock Trial team pose with speaker Judge Ruana.

You Be the Judge

On November 14, a group of Central Catholic Mock Trial students traveled with Mr. Flaherty to the University of New Hampshire Law School in Concord, NH to participate in a program called "You Be the Judge."

Click here to view and download photos on Raider SmugMug.

The program was hosted by federal Judges Landya McCafferty and Seth Aframe. Judge McCafferty is a District Court judge at the federal courthouse in Concord, and Judge Aframe is a judge on the federal Court of Appeals in Boston.

Our students had the chance to have a Q&A and chat with the judges. Then the judges explained the federal court system as well as the guidelines they use to sentence federal offenders.

From there the students were provided with an actual federal case from 2010 (bank robbery) and were broken up into three groups: prosecution, defense, and judges. The three groups went over the case and prepared for a mock sentencing hearing which was presided over by Judge Aframe.

All of our students performed well, and Judge McCafferty gave special recognition to Geremia Ortega '26, who served as a defense attorney, and Daranette Ortiz Fuentes '27, who portrayed the bank teller.

Thank you to Judge Landya Boyer McCafferty, a member of the United States District Court for the District of New Hampshire. Judge McCaffery is the wife of Mr. Patrick McCafferty, CCHS Religious Studies Faculty Member.

Students in front of a large stone John Harvard statue on a paved courtyard, with a brick building in the background.

Mock Trial Practices Law at Harvard University

Four members of the Central Catholic Mock Trial Team attended a Mock Trial Seminar at Harvard University held the first weekend of November entitled the Angela R. Mathew High School Seminar.

Nadia Lee '27
Kaleigh Davoli '27
Geremia Ortega '26
Camille Melendez '28

Students were accompanied by faculty advisor and coach Mr. Brian Flaherty, Social Studies Teacher.

The students attended six lectures relating to the main elements of a mock trial competition:

opening statements,
closing statements,
direct examination,
cross examination,
witnesses, and
evidence and objections.

A classroom-like setting with a chalkboard on the wall, students seated at desks, and a person standing in the foreground.

They also attended four breakout sessions with a Harvard undergraduate who helped them analyze a fictitious case.

The seminar was sponsored by the Harvard Undergraduate Mock Trial Team and was attended by students from all over the United States.

About Mock Trial

Central Catholic competes in the Mock Trial Program sponsored by the Massachusetts Bar Association.

The goal of the program is to help students develop their critical thinking skills, understand the judicial process, and to present themselves in public in a competent manner. It is much like a structured debate team. Mock Trial prep work starts in October with three competitions taking place in late January or early February. Playoffs take place in late February or early March.

Mock Trial is moderated and coached by Mr. Brian Flaherty, Social Studies Teacher, and Atty. Yolla (Haddad '98^PMA) Sabounji P'27, Frawley & Sabounji Law Group

About the Massachusetts Mock Trial Program

Students prepare a hypothetical case and then test their skills as lawyers and witnesses in a simulated courtroom competition.

Members of the Massachusetts Bar Association serve as attorney coaches and judges for the Mock Trial Program, while thousands of high school students across Massachusetts participate.

Student Life at Central Catholic

Moses and the Red, or Pink, Sea at a Pep Rally

Our students are passionate and involved.

Central Catholic's many clubs, activities, and teams provide students with the chance to develop a life-long interest while forging life-long friendships.

Students forge bonds with classmates and teachers while enriching their lives and pursuing their interests beyond the classroom.

Mock Trial is one of the over 50 clubs and activities available to students.

Explore our Online Activities Guide to find the best fit for your personality, talents, and interests.

Online Student Activities Guide