Jr Mock Trial participants get recognition from judge

All five teams that participated in this year’s mock trial for junior high school received accolades and recognition from presiding judge Braddock Huesman who described the students’ performances as excellent and impressive.

According to Huesman, who taught seventh and eighth graders prior to practicing law, CNMI junior high school participants appeared Saturday at Guma Hustisia well-rehearsed and ready to play their roles as attorneys and witnesses in a legal case. In comparison to his former middle school students, Huesman said local students appeared way “more advanced” in this field.

NMI Council for the Humanities executive director Scott Russell said there were five school teams in this year’s mock trial program each comprised of five members and a few alternates. They included Mount Carmel School, Grace Christian Academy on Rota, Dr. Rita Hocog-Inos Jr. & High School, and two teams from Hopwood Junior High School.

Compared to the high school division, the junior high level used a non-competitive format so there are no winners or losers per se. The judge gives general comments on all teams’ work and performances.

For MCS, recognized were members Sung Hun Ryu, You Jin Jun, Arron Christopher Cushing, Jaqueline Doctor, Amalina Delamona Evangelista, and Lance Vince Deleon Guerrero.

Team members from GCA-Rota included Angelly Guiang, Venetia Atalig, Glengela Guiang, Angie Lou Garces, Eddie Boy Cestona, and Gabrielle Gascon.

From Dr. Rita Hocog-Inos Jr. & High School, members who were also recognized were Thomas Manglona II, George Bisala, Catherine Manglona, Raenna Aldabe, Izzamil Camacho, Cleo Cuizon, and Antonette Sabangan.

Members representing Hopwood Junior High included Kimberly Bautista, Janlane Imperial, Mikhail Alcantara, Elaine Enriquez, Eliezha Mendoza, Anathalia David, Patrick Augustin, Angela Aninon, Alexandria Vergara, Jamie Mariano, Marchie Fernandez, and Diana Lopez.

Russell said despite having only a few teams this year, the turnout was good and a big success for the council which reaffirmed its commitment of conducting the traditional program every year. The executive director said more schools will be encouraged to join next year to get a larger pool of participants.

“We’re very satisfied with the turnout and I am amazed [on the students’ performances]. These kids are really good,” he said after the event, citing the confidence demonstrated by students in “arguing” a case before adult-spectators.

Russell said the program, which is funded by a grant from the National Endowment for the Council of Humanities, is a pilot project that aims to get students involve in humanities.