Putnam Valley High School is proud to report that in late March the Putnam Valley Mock Trial team successfully defended itself in the county finals versus Mahopac High School to win the Putnam County championship. According to club advisor and Social Studies teacher, Sean Gilroy, PV Town Supervisor and attorney Bob Tendy has been donating many hours to the students, and his contribution has yielded much success.

Team members Michelle Tendy, Tara Gleason, Alexandra Bailhache, Anastasaia Bailhache, Conor O’Leary, Madeline Kane, Francesca Sills, Ram Pandya, and Stefon Lowe worked with Supervisor Tendy and Mr. Gilroy (who was himself in law enforcement before he became a teacher) to perfect their legal skills.

According to Mr. Gilroy, “the purpose of the club was to give students a hands-on experience of the trial process. We were given a case in late December and started to prepare for the county tournament. Bob Tendy donated his expertise to refining the members’ work in after-school practices at the HS and in weekend practices at Town Hall. Aside from the members that presented the case in Carmel, contributions were made by students in our Criminal Law class and teachers in the Social Studies Dept. We now head to the regional contest on May 3 in Westchester.” PVHS Interim Principal Richard Herlihy added, “This was the first year for the team and they are doing a terrific job!”