Council recognizes Tinian High School

The 8th Saipan and Northern Islands Municipal Council adopted a resolution congratulating the Tinian High School team for making the semifinals of the 7th Annual CNMI High School Mock Trial Competition held last March 18 and 19 at the Guma Hustisia.

Given commendation were THS students Kaisha Aquino, Marjorie Daria, Antonio Evangelista, Jr., Denise Guiao, Joelene Lizama, Antolynn Maratita, Nikita Mendiola, Wayne Sanchez, and Vincent Aguon and Benita Cruz. The municipal council also took its hats off to the team’s teacher/coach Mark Mendiola as well as attorney/coach Lucy Blanco-Maratita.

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

Aside from THS, other mock trial semifinalists included the MBA, MHS, and Mount Carmel. Other schools that joined the competition were eventual champion Northern Marianas Academy, eventual runner-up Grace Christian Academy, Calvary Christian Academy, Eucon International School, Rota High School, Saipan Southern High School, and Kagman High School. The

No less U.S. District Court in the Northern Mariana Islands presiding judge Alex Munson presided over the competition

The championship round between the two finalists—NMA and GCA—tackled the homicide case of a certain Mrs. Martha Cruz, the fictitious defendant, who was charged by the prosecution team with first degree murder of her husband George Cruz.

After hearing the arguments presented by the prosecution and defense teams, the panel of jurors, composed of local attorneys Clyde Lemons, Patrick Smith, Bruce Mailman, Allen Buak and Karen Klaver, declared NMA the 7th Annual CNMI High School Mock Trial Competition champion, while GCA settled for runner-up honors.

Other special award recipients of the mock trial were Antolynn M. Maratita, Best Defense Attorney, THS; Virginia Castro, Best Prosecution Attorney, KHS; Michelle Milagroso, Best Defense Witness, MHS; and April Cabanas, Best Prosecution Witness, Eucon.

The donations in support of the mock trial competitions came from Coca-Cola Beverage Company, Herman’s Modern Bakery, Joeten Enterprises, Judges/Jurors, Marianas Visitors Authority, Marshals, McDonald’s of Saipan, National Office Supply, Pacific Islands Club, Pacific Trading Company, Superior Court, Supreme Court, and Winchell’s.

The municipal council resolution concluded by saying that its members and the people of the CNMI are extremely proud to join the proud parents, coordinators, school officials, sponsors, judges, and jurors in extending a special congratulations and commendation to the contestants and mock trial champion NMA for their outstanding performance during the event.

The resolution was certified by chairman Gregorio V. Deleon Guerrero and vice chairman David A. Indalecia and attested by secretary Antonia M. Tudela. (PR)