From left: Judge Randolph Hammock. Team members Graham Nevell, Max Shaffer, Amelia Tran, Mario Vega, Caleb Kona, Sammy Riechmann, Natalia Conzalez, Charlies Caruso, Carissa Klaus, Jude Filippone, Hartley Decauwer, Carolyn Freese, Emily Mota, and Emma Mendoza-Munoz, with coaches Diane Evans and Tracey Merritt. (Courtesy Holy Family Catholic School)
Members of the mock trial team at Holy Family Catholic School in South Pasadena are celebrating a big win this season, taking home the junior division championship title from this year’s Constitutional Rights Foundation Mock Trial program.
Over 50 public and private schools in LA County participate in the program. They study a hypothetical case, conduct legal research, prepare for trial, and present. Students serve as attorneys, witnesses, and members of the court. Two teams compete at a time, earning points for their presentations, their cross-examinations, and their opening and closing arguments.
The students at Holy Family practiced three times a week for the past two months to develop their communication skills and analytical abilities. They made six courthouse appearances, ending with their championship win on Wed., Dec. 4.