The Lancaster Sunday News again devoted only four short paragraphs to what appears to have been a telephone report on the J. P. McCaskey second place finish at the statewide Mock Trial contest. As was the case when McCaskey won the regionals, the article was ‘buried’ opposite the Obituary Page.
In contrast, below is the article that appeared today in the Scranton Times-Tribune. Note they assigned a staff writer to cover the event.
The Sunday News editors knew beforehand about the quarater-finals. They also were aware a day earlier of McCaskey’s participation in the semi- finals and possibly in the finals. To them it just isn’t a story of much interest to its readership. This speaks volumes of both Lancaster and its newspapers.
NewsLanc reported the outcomes of the regionals, quarter finals, semi-finals and finals shortly after each occurred, adding details as they became available from those in attendance.
Prep wins state mock trial title
BY SARAH HOFIUS HALL (STAFF WRITER)
Published: April 1, 2012
The mock trial team from Scranton Preparatory School received a winning verdict on Saturday.
Prep defeated a team from J.P. McCaskey High School in Lancaster County to win the 29th annual Pennsylvania Bar Association Statewide High School Mock Trial Competition, which took place at the Dauphin County Courthouse in Harrisburg.
“Everyone really came through, and we were at the top of our game,” said senior Chris Boland, who was named best witness in the finals.
Prep also won the state title in 1991 and 2010, and will now represent the state in the national championship in May in Albuquerque, N.M. This year’s case was about economic development and whether a company can build on land that may be a habitat for an endangered species of turtle. The team had to be prepared to portray the role of the plaintiffs or defendants.
Along with Chris, team members are Ashley Javitz, Chuck Scrimalli, Elizabeth Steele, Elijah Racine, Aileen Van Wie, Sarah White, James McGrath, Garrett Lyons, Ryan Patrick Burdick, Kirsten Simons, Allison Durkin, Lauren Fick, Bryce Alvarado, Paul Chichura, Kevin Kelly, Michael Burke, Sean Foley, Liz McCarty and Cara Mannion. Advisers are Mary Grace Phillips and A.J. Rizzo, S.J., along with U.S. Magistrate Judge Malachy Mannion and attorney John O’Brien.
Allison was named best advocate for the finals.
“It’s was a lot of fun, and very nerve-wracking,” she said. “We’re all very excited.”
Sean said he usually gets nervous before a trial, but during semifinals on Friday, he suddenly found a “sense of confidence.” He said he is looking forward to spending more time with his teammates as they prepare for nationals.
“It is an awesome feeling,” he said.
Contact the writer: [email protected]
I have to wonder how many of the LNP staff have any connection with McCaskey High School. The sports section gives coverage, but beyond that…………………
Maybe if McCaskey were located in the affluent (white) suburbs, and had a large subscribership………………….
LNP is getting lazier and lazier, even with ‘hometown’ news to report.