Students receive special recognition at Jr. High Mock Trial

The Northern Marianas Humanities Council marked 12 years of the Junior High Mock Trial on April 2. Ten schools with over 80 students participated in the event.

Participating schools included Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Junior High School, Chacha Ocean View Middle School, Dandan Middle School, Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior Senior High School, Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja, Saipan Community School, Saipan International School, San Antonio Middle School, Tanapag Middle School, and Tinian Junior Senior High School.

Superior Court Associate Judge Teresa Kim-Tenorio and Associate Judge Joseph Camacho, along with attorney and CNMI Bar vice president Jennifer Dockter, presided over rounds on the fictitious case between Devon Douglas and Riley Harrison regarding a car accident and the use of a smartphone while driving.

The junior high mock trial is a signature program of the council and, although it is non-competitive, students representing each side of the case are recognized for their exemplary performance in each round.

For the first round in Kim-Tenorio’s courtroom, Dr. Rita H. Inos Junior Senior High School’s Raimundo Manglona received special recognition for his role as plaintiff attorney and Kiara Bapari for her role as plaintiff witness. For the opposing side, Saipan Community School’s JP Sablan received special recognition as defense attorney and Moon Zeng and Mateo Guerrero as witnesses for the defense.

For the first round in Camacho’s courtroom, Chacha Ocean View Middle School’s Fay Sizemore, Nina Valdisimo, and Jennifer Crolla were given special recognition for their roles as plaintiff attorneys; and Francisco Ermitanio, Ely Taitano and Princes Pasion as witnesses for the plaintiff. Representing the defense, Tanapag Middle School’s Fiona Rathburn, Francisca Maduqu, and Kristan Isip were given special recognition as attorneys; and Marlayna Sablan, Redz Rivera, and Jimmy Joe Marquez as witnesses.

For the first round in Dockter’s courtroom, Tinian Junior Senior High School’s Kayla Manglona was recognized for her role as plaintiff attorney and Anne Sanchez for her role as plaintiff witness. On the opposing side, Eskuelan San Francisco de Borja’s Jeremy John Atalig stood out as defense attorney and Auston E. Guiawan as defense witness.

For the second round in Kim-Tenorio’s courtroom, Dandan Middle School’s Aeyanna Maratita received special recognition for her role as plaintiff attorney and Grace Zhang as plaintiff witness. Representing the defense, San Antonio Middle School’s Elaine Fernandez received special recognition for her role as attorney and Devahn Dogelio was as a witness.

For the second round in Camacho’s courtroom, Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Junior High School’s John Mercader, Jefferson Cunnanan, and John Oh received special recognition for their roles as plaintiff attorneys; and Hanna Quiambao, Kaye Ann Obando and Alex Aman as defense witnesses. For the opposing side, Saipan International School’s Shea Hartig, Allan Lee and Emma Timmons were given special recognition for their roles as defense attorneys; and Maria Gregorie, Steven Goodwin, and Henry Qian as defense witnesses.

For the third and last round, which took place in Camacho’s courtroom, Saipan Community School’s Jason Sablan, Seung Ju Lee, and Mark Nam received special recognition for their roles as plaintiff attorneys; and Sunny Woo, R.J. Pierce, and Maxine Rabago for their roles as plaintiff witnesses. For the opposing side, Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood Junior High School’s Christine Beceril, Kennedy Vila and John Oh received special recognition for their roles as defense attorneys; and Jayce Gilles, Coloma Castro, and Karen Ann Irinaka as witnesses for the defense.

The council extends a big thank you to the CNMI Judiciary and House of Justice team, teacher coaches, attorney coaches and volunteers who helped to make this year’s event a success. (PR)