East Shoreline Catholic Academy’s (ESCA) mock trial team won the State Mock Trial Middle School Championship on May 7. The ESCA prosecution team defeated top challenger, Weston Middle School defense team, at the Appellate Court in Hartford.

Daniela Bejleri won the Mocker Award for Best Attorney and Samantha Stroka for Best Witness.

“Both are excellent students, whose dedication and love for debate and the law were instrumental in ESCA’s win,” said team coach Nancy Addorisio. “I am always amazed each year at the growth, confidence, and poise this program develops as the students prepare for their first competition.”

She said “the dedication and hard work of the students and the outstanding coaching and expertise of Attorney Barry Beletsky and The Honorable Peter McShane” were the most important elements of the team’s success.

Addorisio, the social studies, drama, and mock trial teacher at ESCA, spearheaded the mock trial program at ESCA. She began this program in 2002 at Our Lady of Mercy School. East Shoreline Catholic Academy, in Branford, is a STREAM Model and successor school of Our Lady of Mercy (Madison) and Saint Mary’s (Branford) serving Pre-K 3 to Grade 8 students. In addition to Addorisio, the students were coached by Attorney Barry Beletsky and The Honorable Peter McShane.