Coach J. Robert Glass Jr. with moot court competitors Christopher Dela Cruz and Carly Dela Cruz on the University of California, Santa Barbara campus on Saturday, March 3, 2025.
(CNMI Judiciary) — Mount Carmel School sophomores Carly Dela Cruz and Christopher Dela Cruz traveled to Santa Barbara, California for the weekend to compete in the National Association of Moot Court High School Regional Competition held at UCSB on March 1-2. The team was accompanied by their coach, Chief Solicitor J. Robert Glass Jr.
Mount Carmel competed against top teams from across California and neighboring states. Both students performed well, continuing the CNMI’s strong showing at this competition. Students from Marianas High School first competed at the UCSB tournament in 2024.
The regional tournament required students to argue both sides of a simulated United State Supreme Court case. The case involved difficult questions of law about jurisdiction and appellate procedure in an environmental lawsuit.
Christopher and Carly are the finalist team from the CNMI Supreme Court’s 2024 High School Moot Court Competition in December. Christopher Dela Cruz was also named the Best Oral Advocate for Appellees during the local competition. The regional champion team will be competing at the National Association of Moot Court Tournament at Yale University in April.
