Being the lead attorney in a Mock Trial would be stressful for nearly anyone. Now, imagine being lead attorney and president of the Mock Trial team that your brother had led, competed, won tournaments on, and founded. 

Those big shoes to fill would intimidate almost anyone, but sophomore Bridget Pizzo–with lots of drive and determination–steps up to the challenge. 

“She’s an awesome student and competitor: very motivated,” said law teacher and coach of the Mock Trial team Mr. Alexander Mann. 

Starting in Mock trial last year, Pizzo decided to give the team her brother had founded a try. Pizzo had a larger role from the start, as she was a witness in State and got the Outstanding Witness Award for one of her trials. 

“Mock Trial was started three years ago by Bridget’s older brother, so in some sense she was in that shadow, but she has definitely stepped out of it and proven herself in her own right this year,” said Pizzo’s friend and Mock Trial teammate Katie Silvay. 

With no prior experience and just curiosity, Pizzo showed up for a state tournament and brought home an award as well as a love for Mock Trial. 

With her newfound love of the activity, Pizzo stepped up after her older brother graduated and took over the club. Not only did she become the president of the team, but she is also now the team’s lead attorney. 

“I moved up from [being a] witness last year to being the lead attorney,” said Pizzo.

As one of the only team members with experience, Pizzo was put into a leadership role as a sophomore and continues to pass down her love of Mock Trial to other people while still competing herself. 

“It’s nice having a student who enjoys it and wants to help other students– who are just learning about how it works–learn more about it,” said Mr. Mann.  

With Mock Trial’s State being last weekend, the team placed well again with Pizzo in the lead as she helped to prepare the team for the competition. 

Pizzo ended up succeeding as the new lead attorney and captain of the Mock Trial team, as her new leadership gave the team another victory and made sure everyone had fun along the way. 

“Without her confidence and hard work, she wouldn’t have been able to pull it off, but she most definitely did. Because of Bridget, our team had one of its best years,” said Silvay.