Prep Talk
14 Students Spend A Day In Court
Posted March 28th, 2017
On March 2nd, 14 St. Augustine Prep students travelled to Delaware County’s Court of Common Pleas 32nd Judicial District for the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania located in Media, Pennsylvania. The student participates, comprised of sophomores, juniors and a senior had their day in court. Prior to appearing before the Honorable Judge Frank Hazel, (graduate of Villanova University School of Law) and arguing Bethel School District v. Fraser, 478 U.S. 675 (1986), the students participated in part I of this program which was an in school seminar discussing the fundamentals of constitutional law and the difference between civil and criminal law. The purpose of the excursion was to expose interested students to the legal profession and the judicial process.
“The Law Seminar took me out of the classroom and into the courtroom, which opened my eyes to a day in the life of a lawyer,” said Antonio Talotta (C’2019). “I experienced first-hand the professionalism, intensity, and critical thinking involved in arguing a case in front of a judge.”
“It was a great hands on experience that showed us what it’s like to be a lawyer,” stated Scott Guetens (C’2017). “Seeing the actual cases gave us a true glimpse into the real world. This experience solidified my aspiration to go to law school after college and possibly become a lawyer.”
This two-part judicial experience was made possible through the generosity of Mr. Scott Lisgar, Esq. of Keller, Lisgar & Williams, (father of Blake Lisgar, 2019) and Ms. Colleen M. Neary, Esq. of Sweeney & Neary who coordinated and coached our students in preparation for the mock trial. In addition to the mock trial, the day included a tour of the courthouse and observation of court proceedings. Mrs. Carol Castelli, the Director of College Guidance, along with Ms. Salvati, College Guidance Assistant organized and chaperoned the program.
The event comes on the heels of the successful Job Shadow program. The program saw over 70 St. Augustine Prep junior students experience occupations spanning industries across the tri-state area in the month of February. The objective of the Job Shadow program as well as the A Day in Court experience is to provide guidance in college majors and future career aspirations.
Participants (alphabetically listed)
Christopher Allen, 2019
Colin Bailey, 2018
Dane Crilly, 2019
Jerek Garcia, 2019
Ryan Gramp, 2019
Scott Guetens, 2017
Blake Lisgar, 2019
Frank Mazzuca, 2019
Nicholas Pilny, 2018
Michael Reader, 2018
Basilio Silla, 2018
Anthony Sofran, 2019
Antonio Talotta, 2019
Dillon Wagner, 2019