Holy Family School in Pasadena won the 38th annual Los Angeles County Mock Trial Dec. 2, defeating Westside Neighborhood School in the final. A total of 52 public and private schools competed in the competition.

“The Holy Family team was led expertly by Diane Evans and Tracy Merritt, whose inspiration and expertise were an important part of the chemistry that made the team so successful,” according to Frank Montejano, the school principal.

“Diane and I always tell the kids that mock trial is about the journey — where they start from and the skills they gain in the process,” Merrit said. “This year was an amazing journey for all of us involved in so many ways. I have never felt prouder to be a Holy Family teacher than when these kids took a break from their celebration to congratulate the second-place team. Their legal talent and public speaking skills are certainly impressive, but their outstanding characters mean so much more.”

The Holy Family team learned procedures of the legal system, public speaking and quick thinking in order to effectively examine and cross examine witnesses, according to organizers.