Four MMI students win awards at Mock Trial district competition
(Freeland, PA – February 11, 2016) – MMI Preparatory School juniors Allison McGeehan and Kevin Cibak and sophomores John Malay and Mahad Muhammad each won awards during the Pennsylvania Bar Association Mock Trial district competition at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre.
McGeehan, the daughter of Thomas and Sandra McGeehan of Drums, and Cibak, the son of James and Deidre Cibak of Sugarloaf, both won best advocate awards. Malay, the son of John and Kathryn Malay of Jim Thorpe, and Muhammad, the son of Ikram and Alia Muhammad of Mountaintop, were each crowned best witness. The winners were chosen by the opposing team.
Marc Lobitz, Joshua Narrow, Garrett Kost and Ali Aijaz also competed as lawyers and Hunter O’Clair, Jakob Schwabe, Evan Dryfoos and Erin Sari each took the stand as witnesses.
The Mock Trial focused on an insurance dispute between Lilienthal Insurance and the Natural Habitat Preserve. Steven Yeager, a member of the Wisawe Hunt Club, led a hunt into restricted area of the preserve on September 27, 2014. As a result of Steven’s repeated incursions on restricted area of the preserve, Stacey Earhart flew a drone with a camera in the vicinity to get evidence against Steven.
After seeing Steven in the restricted area, Stacey Earhart, manipulating the drone’s flight from a nearby fire tower, swooped in to get evidence. The drone spooked Steven’s horse, which threw him off and paralyzed him for life. If the preserve was negligent, the insurance company pays for Steven’s injuries, but it this was an intentional act by an overzealous naturalist, then the preserve must pay and would likely close.
MMI, which was appearing in the Mock Trial competition for the 29th consecutive year, competed in the Region 5 District 2 event along with Dallas, Hanover Area, Hazleton Area, Holy Redeemer, Pittston Area, Tunkhannock and Wyoming Seminary. The Mock Trial district and regional playoffs will take place in March and the state championship will be held April 1-2.
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About MMI Preparatory School
For more than 130 years, MMI Preparatory School has been providing dedicated area students with a comprehensive and inspiring 6th through 12th grade college preparatory program that maximizes each individual’s academic, social and character potential in preparation for success in college and beyond. The school is accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools Commissions on Elementary and Secondary Schools (MSA-CESS). MMI is a school where every student can reach their full potential: academically, ethically and socially. For more information about MMI Preparatory School, visit www.mmiprep.org or call 570-636-1108.
CAPTION: MMI Preparatory School recently competed at the Pennsylvania Bar Association Mock Trial district competition at the Luzerne County Courthouse in Wilkes-Barre. Pictured are, first row, from left: Front Row: Allison McGeehan, Erin Sari and John Malay. Second row: Jonathan Smith, Evan Dryfoos, Joshua Narrow, Mark Lobitz, Mahad Muhammad and adviser Dennis Clarke. Third row: Jakob Schwabe, Garrett Kost, Ali Aijaz, Hunter O’Clair and Kevin Cibak.