East Islip High School senior and mock trial team member Olivia Stepanenko continued her award-winning ways last month at the Empire Mock Trial World Championship in Chicago. Stepanenko was one of just 10 students out of over 600 competitors from across the nation who was honored as an Outstanding Attorney at the tournament. This award follows her honorable mention recognition at the 2025 Gladiator one-on-one tournament in Atlanta, Georgia this past July, as well as her being named Countywide Outstanding Student Attorney by the Suffolk County Bar Association in May. 

Stepanenko is currently awaiting college acceptances. She plans to study law and politics in college, focusing on her career goal of becoming an attorney practicing international law.

“Olivia is a model of hard work, dedication and tenacity,” mock trial coach Patsy Lester said. “Her leadership, along with her co-captains, has brought our team success at the highest levels of county, state and national competition. I am so proud she is getting the recognition she deserves.”