Mock trial’s co-champion Grace Christian Academy commended

The 8th Saipan And Northern Islands Municipal Council has adopted a resolution congratulating the Grace Christian Academy’s mock trial team for capturing the 2005 CNMI High School Mock Trial Competition co-championship.

The GCA team was composed of students Stephanie Arnold, Nicole Benjamin, Rafferty Jess Dris, Sheila Ann Ho, Sara Ko, Jacqueline Li, Mathew Blanco, Nicole Torres and Tawny Palacios; teacher/coaches Tan Dionson, Lindsay Mcclain and Faith Dela Rosa; and attorney/coaches Joseph Camacho and Janine Udui.

“Members of the council and the people of the CNMI are extremely proud to join…in extending special congratulation and commendation to Grace Christian Academy’s mock trial team for capturing the co-championship,” part of the resolution reads.

The resolution was certified by municipal council chair Gregorio V. Deleon Guerrero and vice chair David A. Indalecio and attested by secretary Antonia M. Tudela.

This year’s edition of the mock trial contest was held on March 18-19.

The mock trial contestants were Marianas Baptist Academy, Marianas High School, Mount Carmel School, Northern Marianas Academy, Calvary Christian Academy, Eucon International School, Rota High School, Saipan Southern High School, Tinian High School, Grace Christian Academy, and Kagman High School.

U.S. District Court Judge Alex Munson presided at this year’s championship round between the two finalists, Northern Marianas Academy and Grace Christian Academy. The contest focused on a fictitious homicide case of one Mrs. Martha Cruz.

The panel of jurors, composed of local attorneys Clyde Lemons, Patrick Smith, Bruce Mailman, Allen Buak and Karen Klaver, declared the Northern Marianas Academy as champion while GCA settled as co-champion.

The other mock trial semi-finalists included the Marianas Baptist Academy, Marianas High School, Mount Carmel School and Tinian High School.

Special awards were also handed out to Antolynn M. Maratita, Best Defense Attorney, Tinian High School; Virginia Castro, Best Prosecution Attorney, Kagman High School; Michelle Milagroso, Best Defense Witness, Marianas High School; and April Cabanas, Best Prosecution Witness, Eucon International School.

Donors included Coca-Cola Beverage Co., Herman’s Modern Bakery, Joeten Enterprises, Marianas Visitors Authority, Marshals, McDonald’s, National Office Supply, Pacific Islands Club, Pacific Trading Co., the CNMI Superior Court, the CNMI Supreme Court and Winchell’s.

The competition was organized in 1999 by Justice Ramon G. Villagomez to bring high school students into the courtroom to expose them to the legal system. The CNMI high school mock trial competition is held annually and coordinated by the CNMI Bar Association.