Toll Gate Mock Trial raising funds for nationals in Reno

By Ethan Hartley
Posted 4/17/18

By ETHAN HARTLEY -- For the first time in five years, the Toll Gate Mock Trial team is headed to the national competition, this year held in Reno, Nev. They still need some money to get there, though...

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Toll Gate Mock Trial raising funds for nationals in Reno

Posted

For the first time in five years, the Toll Gate Mock Trial team is headed to the national competition, this year held in Reno, Nev., from May 9 to May 13.

The Toll Gate team reached the highest competition in the country after sweeping their entire season and playoffs, which began in February and culminated with a win over Pilgrim High School for the city crown. Although they were defeated in the state championship against the Wheeler School from East Providence, Wheeler opted not to go to Reno, giving Toll Gate the opportunity to represent Rhode Island.

“It’s been a really great season,” said Sara Hathaway, senior at Toll Gate and captain of the mock trial team. “It’s very, very exciting.”

Hathaway is in the midst of her third season of participating in mock trial. She said the experience has netted her an internship with a practicing judge and forced her to develop better public speaking skills.

“Without mock trial I wouldn’t have had that opportunity,” she said. “For me, personally I used to not be able to publicly speak at all, but after joining mock trial it took me out of my comfort zone in the best way possible.”

Hathaway is interested in going into law and is looking to enroll at Emerson College in Boston next fall, where she wants to start a mock trial team.

Sharon Franco has served as the coach of the mock trial at Toll Gate from around 2002 to 2013. During that tenure, the team went to the national competition in 2007, 2010, 2011 and 2013. She stepped away for a few years to earn her Ph.D. before coming back this year, the same year the team rallied for a dream season and is headed back to the peak of competition.

“I am extremely proud. They worked extremely hard. They always do,” Franco said. “It’s quite a turnaround. They work, they argue the case and pick it apart and they rose to the occasion.”

“Last year we couldn’t have imagined being at this point,” Hathaway agreed. “The kids this year were extremely dedicated and hardworking.”

The team is now hoping to raise about $10,000 to cover the high cost of traveling by plane to Nevada for the competition. Their minimum goal is $8,000 and they have raised about $3,600 as of press time. They hosted a yard sale on Saturday and will be hosting an all-day bake sale at the Warwick Mall on Thursday to help raise funds.

Donations can also be sent to their online GoFundMe, which is linked on their Facebook group page and can be accessed directly at www.gofundme.com/send-toll-gate-mock-trial-nationals.

“It’s going to be very tough,” Hathaway said of the impending competition. “We only got the case April 1 and it’s two times as long as the one we’ve been working with since October. I know we all have the will and are enthusiastic about the opportunity. As long as we have fun with it, that’s how we’re looking at it.”

Comments

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  • Sarahathaway

    Hi, quick clarification. Toll Gate Mock Trial is second in the state, not first! As I said on the phone, Wheeler won the State Championship, but opted not to go to nationals and that is why we are going.

    Tuesday, April 17, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Congratulations to the Tollgate Leaders listed above. Your success will have the extra benefit of attracting new taxpayers from other communities into Warwick. New taxpayers mean lower tax needs on the rest of us.

    Again, congratulations.

    Happy Spring everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Wednesday, April 18, 2018 Report this

  • Justanidiot

    myese inlawes were wondering wear to settles down and once i showed them the article about the toll gate mockers going to nationals because another school stepped down day was so excited. anyplace that heaps praize on number 2s like mister mayer is the place for them to put down routes

    Wednesday, April 18, 2018 Report this

  • Scal1024

    Interesting strategy by Fake mayor Corrente. Tear apart the economic climate in this city as driving people away, while pointing out successes of students and teachers as attracting more people to the city.

    It couldn't be more obvious that this empty suit has no platform to run on. He's literally attaching himself to other peoples accomplishments as if they were his own (just like he's done to the mayor, and city council who ACTUALLY WORK FOR the taxpayers.

    Rick, you are acting out a play you were never cast in. It doesn't get more erratic then that.

    Lastly, the students who performed in this mock trial deserve praise. That is a really school story and the students, parents and teachers should be proud. For you to use this (like always) as a political statment, for your own pathetic political ad is a DISGRACE. You should be embarrassed for the tone deaf behavior you exhibit weekly on this site. It speaks to how clueless you really are and if I were you, I would be ashamed. You are a fraud and a proven liar and no amount of words or $$$ will change that.

    Wednesday, April 18, 2018 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Hello again Scal:

    You very correctly and succinctly point out the major defects in the make-believe "mayor's" statements: At the same time he is bashing the city for people moving out, he is crediting student achievement with attracting new homeowners.

    For most people, who value logic and facts, it can be one or the other -- not both. Warwick has not had a sudden influx of new residents and prospective homeowners over the last few months.

    But as we've seen so often from the make-believe "mayor," his entire goal is to say two completely contradictory things and make them both true -- in much the same way that he talks about "lower tax needs on the rest of us" when he has been delinquent in paying taxes on his residence, putting the burden on others to pay them.

    As you also rightly point out, these students' impressive achievements are due to their own hard work and their parents' and teachers' dedication and commitment; they -- and only they -- can claim to reap the rewards of their efforts. The make-believe "mayor's" blatantly self-serving political statements simply further prove his willingness to humiliate himself on a regular basis.

    Thursday, April 19, 2018 Report this

  • SCOT63

    Once again the bullying club at it again!!!!!!!!!!!! RIDICULOUS!!!!!

    Thursday, April 19, 2018 Report this

  • Scal1024

    SCOT, Any comment on the article? Pretty cool achievment by the students but you'd rather name call and hurt my feelings (sad face). That type of rude behavior shouldn't be tolerated. What did I ever do to you? Anytime you'd like to comment on an actual article and get smacked around with some facts (unlike your favorite fake mayor) I'd love to. Until then leave me alone you bully.

    Thursday, April 19, 2018 Report this

  • SCOT63

    My comments about your bullying club are true facts!!!! I can see the truth hurts!!!!

    Thursday, April 19, 2018 Report this

  • CrickeeRaven

    Once again, Scal, we're treated to more juvenile complaints from the make-believe "mayor's" white knight commenter. As you rightly point out, he has nothing to say about the article -- and he willingly proves that, twice.

    SCOT doesn't like seeing facts and evidence that challenge the make-believe "mayor," and thinks that accusations and name-calling will somehow prove us wrong and by extension, prove the make-believe "mayor" right.

    "The truth hurts," SCOT says. As you and I and other readers know, the truth actually hurts the make-believe "mayor's" attempts to mislead the honest, taxpaying voters of Warwick through use of this site for free political advertising. I intend to keep calling him on it, and I thank you for your work in confronting him with the truth.

    Thursday, April 19, 2018 Report this

  • Cat2222

    The troll is getting called out for trolling others because he is upset they are trolling but doesn't realize he himself is also a troll. Trolls UNITE!

    Friday, April 20, 2018 Report this

  • richardcorrente

    Dear Scal1024,

    Glad you agree with me that the students in the above article deserve praise. There's hope for you yet.

    Happy Spring Scal.

    Happy Spring everyone.

    Rick Corrente

    The Taxpayers Mayor

    Friday, April 20, 2018 Report this

  • Kammy

    "Glad you agree with me that the students in the above article deserve praise. There's hope for you yet."

    I understand that it is merely a tactic you use to help yourself feel better about who you are but you really need to stop. It goes without saying that people are proud of the students, not just because you posted a comment. Your definition of hope is vastly different from others. You hope you will win an election. We just hope you will go away.

    Tuesday, April 24, 2018 Report this