Saipan Southern High is 2006 mock trial champion

Saipan Southern High School took back the title of mock trial champion after it bested Marianas Baptist Academy in a close competition at the CNMI Supreme Court Saturday afternoon.

With the victory, Saipan Southern High will represent the CNMI in the National High School Mock Trial Competition in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma on May 11-13, 2006.

Aside from bagging the title, two Saipan Southern High team members also got two top awards. Marilou Gariguez, a veteran in the tournament and the team’s captain, was adjudged most effective defense attorney. Dong Hwi Shim was named best defense witness.

“I feel great! I’m graduating already. I’ve been in the mock trial for four years. I am happy for the team,” said Gariguez in an interview with the Saipan Tribune.

Shim said he is very proud of the team.

“I feel really happy. This is my last year too,” Shim said.

U.S. District for the NMI Chief Judge Alex Munson presided over the championship battle between Saipan Southern High and Marianas Baptist Academy. Lawyers served as jurors-judges.

It was Saipan Southern High’s second victory. The school snapped Tinian High School’s fourth successive titles in 2004.

The other members of the Saipan Southern High team are Jennifer Benavente, Jocelyn Cabrera, Jacqueline Cepeda, Melissa Coleman, Tamara David, Jenny Ann Ecalnea, Richille Denora, Madelline Jacob, Timothy Ko, and Janina Maratita.

Andrew Golden served as the teacher-coach. The attorney coaches were James Livingstone and the Torres brothers—Vitorino, Vincent, and Joaquin.

Denise Guiao, of Tinian High School, tied with Gariguez as best defense attorney.

Anita Hofschneider of the Marianas Baptist Academy and Nicole Torres of Grace Christian Academy tied as most effective prosecutor.

Sharmaine Hofschneider of Mt. Carmel High School was awarded the best prosecution witness.

Also given honorable mention awards were Efrain-Peter Camacho of Marianas Baptist Academy as defense attorney; Stephanie Arnold of Grace Christian Academy as defense witness; Nikita Mendiola of Tinian High as prosecution witness; and John Nam of Eucon International School as prosecutor.

Attorney Karen Klaver, coordinator for the 8th Annual CNMI High School Mock Trial Competition, said the comments of the jurors-attorneys are that they’re very impressed with the students.

This year’s participating students are from Eucon International, Grace Christian Academy, Marianas Baptist Academy, Marianas High School, Mt. Carmel High School, Saipan International School, Saipan Southern High School, and Tinian High School.

The mock trial, which is sponsored by the CNMI Bar Association, kicked off Friday morning.

The jurors were the ones grading the participants individually as to how they present the case.

“It is not who wins the trial, but who presents the best,” Klaver earlier explained.

Last year’s champion, Northern Marianas Academy, failed to participate this year, along with Rota and Kagman for various reasons.

Mt. Carmel School was the first mock trial champion in 1999 when the late Justice Ramon C. Villagomez started the program to bring high schools into the courtroom.

The goals of the competition are promote and further the understanding and appreciation of the judicial system, court procedures, and the legal system, among others.