Your News: Abbinante received top mock trial honor

Maine West High School junior Stella Abbinante, captain of the school's Mock Trial Team, was recently named Outstanding Attorney - the highest mock trial honor possible - by the Illinois State Bar Association (ISBA).

Abbinante earned the honor for her riveting performance at the ISBA Competition at the DuPage County Courthouse in February. About 150 students from 12 schools competed; she was one of only two students to win the distinction Outstanding Attorney.

Maine West Mock Trial Coach, Jessica Lynn Gimeno, said, "I call Stella my 'Italian Stallion.' She works hard and never shies away from a challenge. She lulls opponents into a false sense of security before eloquently pulverizing them in court. Stella delivered a persuasive direct-examination, cross-examination, and closing arguments: the hardest part, which involves impromptu speaking."

This year's Mock Trial case focused on a civil suit filed by a high school student and swimmer against a classmate and teammate after a traffic accident involving the two one evening after both said they had left a party because of the presence of alcohol.

Joining the ISBA in sponsoring the Mock Trial competition are the Illinois Judges Association, Illinois LEARN, the University of Illinois at Springfield and the Constitutional Rights Foundation of Chicago.

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