In their fourth consecutive trip to the state mock trial competition in Columbus, NDCL’s Legal Lions finished among the top seven teams in Ohio in fiercely contested courtroom action.
Legal Lions Finish in Top Seven
In their fourth consecutive trip to the state mock trial competition in Columbus, NDCL’s Legal Lions finished among the top seven teams in Ohio in fiercely contested courtroom action.
The Lions swept both trials on the tournament’s first day. The prosecution defeated Lake Ridge Academy, with junior Emily Callahan earning best attorney and sophomore Connor Marrott, best witness. The defense then beat the Cleveland School of Science and Medicine, with senior Carter Callender winning the best attorney award and senior Tommy Shero getting the judges’ nod as best witness.
As a result of the first day’s victories, the Lions were among just seven unbeaten teams to qualify for the quarterfinals. In sudden-death elimination, NDCL lost to Sylvania Southview, which won the tournament in 2018 and finished as the state runner-up this year.
More than 300 teams from throughout the state competed in this year’s mock trial program. Only 29 qualified to advance to Columbus.
English teacher Victoria Frabotta ’86 and social studies department chairperson Molly Schneider advise NDCL’s mock trial teams.
Physician Shares Firsthand Account of Opioid Crisis
NDCL’s Certified Peer Educators recently participated in NIX Opiates, a compelling firsthand account of the danger and depth of the opioid crisis presented by an emergency medicine physician who is on the frontline of the battle with the deadly drugs every day.
From his professional perspective as a physician and personal perspective as a parent and community member, Dr. John Queen of the Cleveland Clinic’s Center for Emergency Medicine shared the dangers of prescription and street opioids and described how quickly persons can become addicted.
Dr. Queen’s presentation was part of the opioid outreach and education efforts sponsored by the Ohio Chapter of the American College of Emergency Physicians (ACEP). He serves as the president of the executive committee of ACEP’s Ohio Chapter.
Dr. Queen is the father of senior Kevin Queen and incoming freshman Jackie Queen.
NDCL’s CPE program provides skill training and other learning experiences to empower students as stronger leaders, better role models, more effective advocates and more productive team members. Through CPE, students enhance their confidence to believe in themselves and the power of influence they have on others.
NDCL is the only high school in Ohio to offer CPE training for high school students through the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA), a professional organization of college and university administrators.
Grilling for Great ACT Scores
Principal Joseph A. Waler continued his tasty tradition by treating the entire junior class to a free pancake breakfast before they took the ACT exam on March 12.
“I won’t claim that I’ve discovered the secret to ACT success,” Mr. Waler said, “but I do know that our scores have been higher than ever since I started serving these pancake breakfasts.”
All kidding aside, Mr. Waler credits the instructional expertise of NDCL teachers, the rigor of the curriculum and the hard work of the students for the academic success that recently led to NDCL’s National Blue Ribbon Award. The pancakes and syrup just remind students how sweet it is to achieve their goals.
