Month: February 2025

Mock Trial Season

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Izzy Shoemaker ‘26

The 2024-2025 mock trial season is well underway for the team at Wyoming Seminary. After graduating all 12 of the varsity team members from last year, this year’s team stepped up and filled in. Twelve new team members filled in, four of whom had never done mock trial before. Additionally, four other members had never competed before this season. In addition to new team members, the team also welcomed Lieutenant District Attorney Tony Ross as a coach alongside returning coach, Dr. Froehlich. Ella Magida ‘26, Nick Delayo ‘25, Isis Gonzalez ‘25, and Kavin Patel ‘25 were named as captains for this season. 

The season began with two invitational tournaments in Philadelphia, LaSalle Blue and Gold and UPenn Benjamin Franklin Invitational. The Blue and Gold and Ben Franklin Invitational are two of the highest level competitions in the state. At the Blue and Gold, Wyoming Seminary went 1-2-1. The next weekend, at the Benjamin Franklin invitational, the Knights went 1-1, as they were unable to compete the next day as a result of weather events in the Philadelphia area. Following the two invitationals, the team had a few days to refine their case materials before moving on to preliminary rounds of district mock trial at the Luzerne County Courthouse.

Sem has done remarkably well in districts thus far. In their first trial, the varsity defense team defeated Marian High School in a unanimous decision by all five judges. Kavin Patel ‘25 and Mirabaai Reitsma ‘26 were awarded best advocate and best witness respectively. Patel said, “It’s great to get results like this in districts. We had big shoes to fill from last year’s team, and I think we are in a good position to have a shot at back to back district titles.” 

A week later, the varsity prosecution team was back in the courthouse against Pittson area. The prosecution swept the judges in a unanimous 5-0 decision once again. Josie Carpenter ‘26, awarded best witness at the trial said, “I think everyone is feeling really good moving into the next rounds of districts. The team will continue competing in high level district competition through the rest of February, culminating with the district championship. If the team comes out victorious, they will continue on in the regional championship, a title last one by the Sem 2023-2024 varsity team. 

Sem’s Winter Workshop

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Michael DeMuro ‘27

Sem’s Arts Department at Wyoming Seminary does a new and different type of theater production every term. At the beginning of the year, there is the fall musical. At the end of the year, there is the spring play. In the middle of the year, there is the winter workshop, the best opportunity for one to experience all facets of theater, all in a black box format, which has the audience sitting almost next to the actors while they perform.

Out of all the theater productions, the workshop is arguably the most comedic to watch as a spectator. For actors, it is also very easy to fit it into their schedules because of the flexibility provided by the directors. Depending on how many scenes you are in as an actor, depends on how your schedule is made. You can be placed in different “slates” which are different sets of skits and are shown on different nights. If for example, you are only in one skit, then you will have a lot less rehearsal time than someone who is in three skits. Regarding the process for producing the workshop, as Jason Sherry ‘90 Fine and Performing Arts Chair, one of the directors of the workshop, said, “We start with several scenes in mind that we want to do, and then we hold the auditions… it’s a real process, in the beginning, trying to match actors with scenes and trying to find something to highlight everyone.” 

Some of the scenes come from more famous areas of pop culture, such as Saturday Night Live (SNL), or they could be from smaller sources such as indie playwrights.  Students are also given the option to write a scene. Regardless of the source, whether the scene makes it into the show depends on how well the scene can be used, and if there are actors that fit the roles provided.

It is not just rehearsal and scenes that make the show, it also comes down to the technical aspects. As for the process, Moira Poepperling ‘25 said, “For tech, I sit upstairs in the booth, and I have to mark up every script as to what cues go where… sound, lights, sound effects, everything.” Everything from a phone ringing to a gunshot, all sound effects have to be prepared and ready to go at the sign of a cue from an actor, which as stated earlier, has to be noted on a master script. Then the people working the tech have to be ready to click the prepared sound effect right on cue, and if it’s missed then it’s missed and the show must go on. 

The winter workshop provides many opportunities;  new actors are allowed to experience the stage, and seasoned actors can try roles and genres they have not tried before. Next time that the winter workshop is premiering, go watch your peers on the stage, and perhaps you will be inspired to step onto the stage yourself.

Casino Night Comeback 

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 By Eshaal Ahmad’26

Students tested their luck at Casino night. After a long three-year break, Casino Night made a triumphant return, bringing back all the excitement, glamor, and friendly competition. The much-anticipated event, held on Friday January 31 in Fleck hall, was an overwhelming success, drawing in a number of students and faculty members eager to test their luck all in the name of earning society points and having fun. 

The event transformed Fleck Hall  into a vibrant casino, complete with blackjack tables, poker tournaments, and bingo. Casino Night gave students a chance to enjoy classic casino games like blackjack and poker in a safe, school-sponsored environment. Instead of real money, students received chips upon entry, which they could use at different tables. At the end of the night, they exchanged their chips for society points.  With every game played and every auction bid placed, participants gambled points that could make a difference towards the society day results. The competition was fierce, yet friendly, as students strategized their way through the tables, hoping to come out on top. Teachers also joined in on the fun, with some taking on the role of dealers, adding an extra layer of excitement to the night, dressing to impress in their finest semi-formal attire, adding to the glitz of the evening.

The Student Government spent weeks planning the event, ensuring that it was both entertaining and well-organized. Volunteers, including teachers and staff, acted as dealers at the tables, keeping the games running smoothly. “We wanted to create a space where everyone could have a good time, regardless of whether they knew how to play the games or not,” said Student Government Secretary Isis Gonzalez ‘25. “It was all about the experience.” 

With the success of this year’s Casino Night, students are already asking for an even bigger Casino Night next year. “I loved the energy and excitement,” said Olivia Deluca ‘27  who attended with a group of friends. “Even though I lost all my chips at the blackjack table, I still had a lot of fun!”

With Casino Night officially back in action, one thing is certain: the stakes have never been higher, and neither has the school spirit. As the night came to a close, laughter and cheers filled Fleck hall, marking another unforgettable evening for Sem students. Whether they won big or lost it all, one thing was certain—everyone left Casino Night feeling like a winner.