This case, which was also discussed in the high school competition, was deliberated at the junior high mock trial sponsored by the NMI Council for the Humanities and held yesterday at the Guma Hustisia.
Previous junior high school competitions took place at the federal court in Garapan.
Each participating school had three students playing the role of lawyers while three others were witnesses during the mock trial.
“It was a fun and exciting experience for me. I just wanted to try new things ,” said Zachary Taitano, a first-time participant from Mt. Carmel School. When asked if he will join next year’s competition, “Yes, definitely,” he confidently answered.
The other participating schools were Whispering Palms, Dr. Rita Jr. High School of Rota, Hopwood Jr. High School and Grace Christian Academy also from Rota.
The presiding judge of the junior mock trial, former Rep. Joseph N. Camacho, said: “Every year it gets bigger and better. There are also more students from Tinian and Rota participating over the years.”
He said he is amazed by the students’ level of performance.
This year’s participants were Victoria Chentsova, Minori Yoshida, Miguel Dandan, Nicole Arenovski, Gabrielle Race, and Aaron Lee for Whispering Palms School.
Representing Mount Carmel School were Lester Guevarra, Sung Hun Ryu, Sachary Taitano, Alyssa Benavente, Andrea Lazaro and Luisa Camacho while Thomas Manglona, Beda Mundo, Jada Aldan, Shannon Barcinas, Shania Mesgnon, Catherine Manglona represented Dr. Rita Inos Jr. High School.
Alexandria Vergara, Aurora David, Marrielle Gariguez, Jeshel Ferrer, Jacklyn Garote, Keino Millare, Angela Aninon, Mikhail Alcantara, Russell Javan, Maria Theresa Dizon, Jewel Olivos and Alex Bradly Menor represented Hopwood Jr. High School.
The Grace Christian Academy-Rota representatives were Glengela Flor Guiang, Gabrielle Gascon, Eddie Boy Cestona, Angelly Guiang, Chrisha Llana, Amelia Quitugua, Venetia Atalig, Hannah Takeshi and Dori Jean Santos.
“I already had an idea of what’s going to happen and I was more prepared today than last year,” said Eddie Cestona of GCA-Rota. “We prepared for this for more than four months,” he added.
GCA-Rota principal and history teacher Connie Chandler said she incorporated the mock trial in her history lessons.
“It helps them with public speaking. It also helps them think for themselves and it brings out their personalities,” she added.
After each match, presiding Judge Camacho chose students who made an extraordinary performance in portraying the role given to him/her during the mock trial.
Since junior high mock trial is considered non-competitive, the judge did not select a winning team but instead recognize students who excelled in their roles.
The event is held every year and is open to all junior High schools, said Merced Ada, program officer of the NMI Council for the Humanities.
She said the program aims to encourage students and other community members to learn more about law and basic courtroom procedures.
