According to the council’s acting executive director, Scott Russell, the mock trial program is held annually to help junior high school students develop useful knowledge about the law and courtroom procedures in an enjoyable, non-competitive format.
The program also readies participants for the competitive mock trial program at the high school level.
Each participating mock trial team will be headed by a teacher coach and will receive periodic legal advice and guidance from a lawyer coach.
This year’s case involves a drug-related murder.
Russell said students have argued both civil and criminal cases in past years but that they seem to prefer the criminal cases.
He added that the council would sponsor a mock trial workshop to introduce the basics of the mock trial program should there be new teacher coaches who wish to attend.
This year’s program will culminate in a series of mock trials between participating teams in March 2010 during which a judge will recognize exceptional performances by student lawyers and witnesses.
Last year, seven teams from six schools, including teams from Rota and Tinian, squared off at the final event held in the U.S. District Court chamber.
Russell said he hopes that more schools will participate in this year’s event.
“Feedback from participants and their coaches over the past several years has been very positive,” he said. “Student teams have really enjoyed arguing their cases before a judge in a real courtroom and have done an excellent job.”
Russell said that registration forms may be obtained at the council’s office in Springs Plaza, Gualo Rai or downloaded from the Web site at www.nmihumanities.org.
Chacha PTSA meeting
(COJHS) — Chacha Ocean View Jr. High School will hold its first PTSA meeting on Thursday, Nov. 12, from 6 to 7 p.m., in the cafeteria.
The agenda includes the Lancheru Fair and other events.
For more information, call 237-3921 or 664-4100.
Nominations for small business awards
(SBA) — Each year during National Small Business Week, the U.S. Small Business Administration recognizes outstanding small business owners for their contribution to the American economy and society. President Obama has declared May 24-28, 2010, as National Small Business Week.
SBA is accepting nominations for several SBA award categories including the 2010 Small Business of the Year Award.
The Guam SBA Office services the islands of Guam, the CNMI, the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
Trade associations, chambers of commerce and business organizations frequently sponsor candidates.
A business owner may also nominate themselves or other candidates.
Nomination criteria and deadline dates for all award categories can be found by visiting the local SBA Guam Branch Office or by contacting Kenneth Lujan at 671-472-7277.
Deliver all nominations to the U.S. Small Business Administration, 400 Route 8, FHB Bldg., Maite, Guam before Nov. 20, 2009.
Sablan joins military family caucus
WASHINGTON, D.C. (Office of the CNMI Congressional Delegate) — U.S. Congressman Gregorio C. Sablan and more than 70 of his colleagues in the House of Representatives have joined the new bipartisan Congressional Military Family Caucus.
The caucus will focus on identifying solutions to the challenges military families face before, during and after deployment.
For more information on support programs available to military families, contact Sablan’s district office at the Joeten Plaza in Susupe at 323-2647.
Free Cash for College workshop
(NMC) — Northern Marianas College will be hosting a free “Cash for College” workshop aimed at assisting students and their parents maximize scholarship opportunities that are available to students seeking to obtain a college education.
The free workshop will be held on Saturday, Nov. 21, 2009, at the college’s Building A, east side of campus.
The workshop will be an ongoing session, so participants can stop by anytime between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m.
“We are extremely excited to be offering assistance and guidance again to individuals seeking to further their education,” said NMC President Carmen Fernandez. “The first Cash for College workshop, which was held earlier this year, witnessed a huge turnout, attracting nearly 400 individuals.”
“Many of these individuals are now receiving thousands of dollars in financial aid,” she added.
Those who attend the workshop will receive personal, step-by-step assistance in completing college financial aid forms for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, the Saipan Higher Education Financial Aid and the CNMI Scholarship.
Staff members from the college’s Office of Admissions and Records will also be present to provide information and assistance with the NMC application process.
Workshop participants will also be eligible to have their application fee and placement test fees waived for the Spring 2010 semester.
Participants are encouraged to bring documentation that are required by the scholarship agencies.
These documents include a valid form of identification (e.g. passport, birth certificate), an official transcript from high school (at least three official copies), tax forms, and proof of CNMI residency for 2008 and 2009, including proof of continuing residency.
Applicants for SHEFA must bring a voter registration card.
For more information, contact the Office of Admissions and Records at 234-5498 ext. 1524/37, or e-mail [email protected].
The Cash for College is made possible by the financial support of the U.S. Department of Education’s College Access Challenge Project.
Red flag raised at 4 Saipan sites
(DEQ) — The Division of Environmental Quality says water samples collected from Hidden Beach, North Laulau Beach, South Laulau Beach, and Unai Dangkulo contained excessive concentrations of fecal indicator bacteria that exceeded the CNMI’s marine water quality standards.
DEQ advises the public not to fish or swim within 300 feet of these locations for the next 48 hours or until otherwise notified.
Court advisory
(CNMI Supreme Court) — The air-conditioning and ventilation system in the Guma’ Hustisia will be undergoing repair on Nov. 12-13.
Out of concern for the comfort, health and safety of the courts patrons, staff, justices and judges the operating hours for the judiciary on the above dates will be from 8 a.m. to 12 noon. Family Court matters will keep normal hours.
Similarly affected will be the clerk of court’s office for the Superior Court, the Law Revision Commission, the Commonwealth Recorders Office, and the Office of Adult Probation.
