Mt. Carmel brings home trophy in 2012 mock trial competition

The CNMI Bar Association, with assistance from the Judiciary, hosted the 2012 CNMI High School Mock Trial Competition on Friday, March 2 at the Guma Hustisia in Susupe, Saipan. Six high schools, representing both private and public schools from all three islands, participated in this scholastic competition where students portrayed the role of attorneys and witnesses in a fictitious case.

Teams comprising 6-10 students spent months practicing with the assistance of their attorney and teacher-coaches to present their cases before a panel of volunteer CNMI judges and attorneys. The students were evaluated based on their knowledge of the evidence and ability to present a logical and persuasive case.

Superior Court Judge Perry B. Inos presided over the championship round. This year’s finalists were Mt. Carmel High School (2011 runner-up) and Marianas Baptist Academy (2011 champions). Students from Marianas High School, Saipan Southern High School, Tinian Jr. Sr. High School, and Dr. Rita Hocog Inos Jr. Sr. High School on Rota also competed.

Mt. Carmel took home the championship this year and received a plaque, individual medals, and gift certificates from Joeten Enterprises. Marianas Baptist Academy as runner-up received gift certificates from National Office Supply and gift bags from IT&E. The Public School System will send the Mt. Carmel team to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in May to represent the CNMI at the annual National High School Mock Trial Competition.

Following the competition, students gathered for an award ceremony at the Saipan Grand Hotel. Marianas Baptist Academy received the Supreme Court Professionalism Award and several students were individually recognized. Deveny Delacruz (MHS) and Anastasia Schweiger (Mt. Carmel) earned best attorney awards and received gift certificates from Saipan World Resort and Coca Cola. Michael Johnson (MHS), Austin Delos Santos (RHS), and Kyle Sandbergen (THS) won best witness awards and received gift certificates from Pacific Islands Club, Saipan World Resort and Marianas Resort and Spa. As a result of a raffle, Delos Santos took home a Docomo cell phone.

The students and the CNMI Bar Association thank the following sponsors and volunteers who made the competition and award ceremony possible: the Saipan Grand Hotel, Saipan World Resort, Pacific Trading Co., Herman’s Modern Bakery, NMI Judiciary Historical Society, Joeten Enterprises, Coca Cola, National Office Supply, Pacific Islands Club, Docomo, IT&E, Marianas Resort and Spa, Topnotch, Offices of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor, Sen. Pete P. Reyes, Rep. Francisco S. Dela Cruz, Rep. Joseph M. Palacios and Rep. Ramon A. Tebuteb, Teresa Kim-Tenorio, Suzanne Steffy, Albert Hicking, Valerie Malwebug, Justice John Manglona, Martha Mendiola, Heather Kennedy and the staff of the Supreme and Superior Courts and all volunteer judges, jurors, and coaches. (CNMI Judiciary)