Two Marianas High School sophomores will represent the Northern Mariana Islands at the national moot court competition in Washington, D.C. next spring.
The national competition will be held at Georgetown University.
MHS sophomores Steven Lian and Ricky Tang earned the honor by winning the 2025 CNMI Supreme Court Moot Court Competition on Friday. They will compete against some of the best high school debating teams in the nation, arguing constitutional issues before panels of judges and legal scholars in March 2026.
The national competition at Georgetown University is regarded as one of the premier events for aspiring lawyers and debaters, offering participants the chance to showcase their skills on a national stage.
Lian and Tang expressed appreciation for their coaches, teachers, and fellow MHS teammates for their support.
“The national stage is something wonderful. I think everyone should aim for the chance to compete. It’s a great way to represent our islands, and it’s an honor to be considered,” Lian said.
“This year’s topic seems pretty interesting. Probably going to take us a while to wrap our heads around it,” Tang added.
Second place was another MHS team comprised of Ainsley Ancheta and Montrey Germance
“There’s no secret sauce. When they came here to compete, they were already driving themselves. They have done a lot of work to get here. I’m just supporting and helping them understand the nuances of the case, the principles of law that are involved, and the methods of advocacy,” said MHS attorney-coach Steve Woodruff.
He added, “The eye contact and gestures… voice communication and what kind of things work and don’t work. These are some of the needed feedback throughout the process. If that’s a secret sauce, then I guess that is what it is.”
PSS support
The annual moot court program is hosted by the CNMI Supreme Court and funding support is from the Public School System’s Federal Programs Office.
This annual competition challenges students to research, write briefs, and present oral arguments on complex legal questions. Organizers said the competition helps foster civic engagement and introduces young people to the judicial process.
Commissioner of Education Lawrence Camacho said the competition provides a pathway to legal careers while building confidence, critical thinking, and public speaking skills.
“The competitive environment stimulates real-world legal challenges and offers an opportunity to interact with judges and attorneys, which the students are really after,” Camacho said. “I’m just excited that we have this opportunity for our students, and it’s amazing to watch them in action. Because it shows the caliber of students that we have, and the wonderful teachers who teach them.”
Besides MHS, Mount Carmel School, Saipan International School, and Saipan Southern High School also fielded student teams
By Bryan Manabat Variety News Staff
