TINIAN — After a three year absence from representing the CNMI at the National High School Mock Trial Competition, Tinian High School’s return to national competition yielded an unprecedented honor and recognition, a media release stated.
Beating out 320 other students, Nikita P. Mendiola became the first student from the CNMI to win an overall award for Best Witness in the competition held this year in Dallas, Texas.
“Nikita was just fantastic! Her directing attorney, Joelene Lizama, was also instrumental in helping her portray her character very well. And, the other team members shined during the national competitions despite having to travel so far. I’m very proud of all of the team members,” commented attorney-coach Lucia Blanco-Maratita when asked about the Best Witness Award.
Mendiola had also won the Most Effective Plaintiff Witness award and Lizama won the Most Effective Plaintiff Attorney award in the CNMI local competition last March.
Tinian’s 2007 Mock Trial team won the honor to represent the CNMI in the National Mock Trial Competition after winning the CNMI Championships on March 17.
This year’s CNMI Mock Trial Team was comprised of Tinian High School students Kaisha Aquino, Michelle Aquiningoc, Joelene Lizama, Genevieve Santos, Louvelle Borja, Nikita Mendiola, Denise Guiao, and Winona Maratita, Tom Fuentes, teacher-coach, and Lucy Blanco-Maratita, attorney-coach.
The team left Saipan for the National High School Mock Trial Competition on May 7. Despite enduring long flights and multiple connections to reach the host city of Dallas, Texas, the team’s focused preparation for the competition paid dividends as Tinian High School received the Best Witness award, and was ranked 35th in the nation.
Highlights of the competition in Dallas which took place from May 10 to 12 included social events and activities for the students such as a Mexican fiesta, a pin exchange, a barbecue — rodeo style, and an awards dinner on the last day of competition.
The pin exchange which took place on May 10 gave the participating teams an opportunity to meet with students from the other participating states and South Korea and exchange mock trial pins
This was the first time since the CNMI had been participating in the National High School Mock Trial competitions that the CNMI team had its very own CNMI High School Mock Trial pin to exchange with the other teams.
The pins were made possible through a generous donation by Bridge Investment Group, LLC and CTS Shanghai Private Overseas.
Assistance in getting the pins to Tinian was also given by the Tinian Dynasty Hotel and Casino staff.
According to the team coaches, the students were very appreciative to these companies’ generosities in lending their assistance and especially to Phil Mendiola-Long for coordinating the project.
“Unfortunately, the kids were so busy preparing for the competition that they didn’t get to see much of the beautiful city of Dallas. But, we should all be proud of what this product of our public school system accomplished in Texas,” said attorney-coach Blanco-Maratita.