NDCL's robotics team swept the regional qualifying meet, 9-0, to earn the top ranking in the state and to secure a berth in the state tournament in March...
Robotics Team Sweeps Competition
NDCL’s robotics team swept the regional qualifying meet, 9-0, to earn the top ranking in the state and to secure a berth in the state tournament in March.
Of 21 teams that competed in the regional at Kirtland High School the weekend of Jan. 13, the Lions earned the event’s high score of 173 for the first five qualifying rounds. NDCL remained undefeated in the semifinals and finals, setting a record high score of 188, clinching a spot in the state tournament.
The Lions currently hold the first and second highest scores in Ohio. They rank 91st in the entire nation.
The team also won the Promote Award for a video produced by senior Madelyne Morris and the Control Award for programmed autonomous routines written by senior Nic Ramsey with assistance from senior Nathan Galante and junior Catherine Orazem.
Science teacher Zack Geizer ’14 coaches the Lions with assistance from math teacher Ashley Kelm, academic coach Tony Hodun and parent volunteer Richard Ruggeri.
Mock Trial Team Travels Ohio
NDCL’s two mock trial teams, the Legal Lions, are literally on the road to success, traveling all over the state to prepare for district competition on Jan. 27.
The 2023 mock trial case examines the complexities of school investigations into incidents of misconduct, specifically when the misconduct may have criminal implications. The school’s budding attorneys are exploring the facts of the case and relevant laws to determine whether high school students were in police custody at the time they made incriminating statements to a school resource officer and whether they should have been advised of their rights against self-incrimination.
On Jan. 5, the Legal Lions scrimmaged against Lake Ridge Academy at the Cuyahoga County Justice Center. Legal advisers Judge Michael Shaughnessy (father of Megan ’12, Kate ’18 and sophomore Kelly) and Judge Deena Calabrese ’88 presided with help from Judges William McGinty and Emily Hagan.
The weekend of Jan. 13, legal adviser Kim Baioni, mother of senior Victoria, traveled with the teams for a statewide scrimmage at the University of Cincinnati. Junior Tuscani Orris and freshman Paige Pavosevic earned the best attorney awards for their rounds. Freshman Quinton Linnert won best witness.
The week of Jan. 16, Team Blue scrimmaged at St. Edward High School while Team Gold stayed home for a scrimmage with Beaumont. Team Blue will head to Columbus this weekend for the statewide Buckeye Brawl Scrimmage at The Ohio State University.
The Lions are lucky to have many generous volunteer legal advisers, including Mrs. Baioni; Judge Carolyn Paschke and Perrin Sah (parents of Garrett Sah ’20 and Mallory Sah ’22); Nick Burling ’01 of the Geauga County Prosecutor’s Office; Martin Delahunty (father of Jackie ‘16 and JD ’17); Richard Carbon ’65; Judge Shaughnessy; Judge Calabrese; Judge Terri Stupica; and Mallory Sah ’22, a member of the mock trial team at Miami University.
Jeff Black (father of Jeffrey ’07, Catherine ’09 and Justin ’15) provided special counsel for the application of the Miranda warning. Assistant Principal Chris Poulos and Director of Counseling Katie Koci also shared their professional expertise to assist the witnesses for their testimony.
English Department Chairperson Victoria Frabotta ’86 advises the Legal Lions with assistance from English teachers Katie Martin ’14 and Michael Vitale.
