The Monterey Highlands Mock Trial Team, consisting of 24 grade 6-8 students and supported by a dedicated group of seven parent-volunteer coaches, recently competed at the 48th Annual Los Angeles County Mock Trial Competition held at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse in Downtown Los Angeles.
At the first round of competition on Wednesday, Nov. 5, the Prosecution side presented their case with exceptional skill, demonstrating strong preparation, courtroom poise and persuasive acting. Student-attorney Sum Yu Wu (grade 8) was named the team’s Most Valuable Participant (MVP) by the opposing team and student-expert witness Dephany Chang (grade 6) earned a perfect score with her impressive knowledge of GPS trilateration! The Prosecution side also got straight Wins from all three scoring panelists - not an easy, but very tricky task at competition!
The competition continued with Round 2 on Wednesday, Nov. 12, when the Defense side took center stage to defend their client against first-degree murrder and involuntary manslaughter charges. Their performance was equally commendable, showcasing dramatic advocacy, thoughtful strategy and memorable witnesses. Student-witness Nicholas Salmeron (grade 8) garnered the MVP award - they got the audience to laugh out of the gate on the stand! - while student-bailiff Marshall Ta-Beadle (grade 6) won over the scoring panelists with a perfect score!
At the end of the competition, several students received county-wide recognition! Sum Yu Wu (grade 8) and Nicholas Salmeron (grade 8) received Individual Awards for their outstanding portrayal of Prosecution Attorney and Defense Witness, respectively. Only two Prosecution Attorney Individual Awards and four Defense Witness Individual Awards are given out by the LA County Competition every year.
In addition, Joshua Tom (grade 7) and Marshall Ta-Beadle (grade 6) received Honorable Mentions for their respective memorable portrayal of Defense Expert Witness and Bailiff.
The team’s accomplishments reflect months of hard work, dedication and personal growth as well as the tireless efforts of our parent-volunteers on a team that is just in its second year.
Thank you to all of our parent-volunteer coaches: Head Coach Cathy Ta, Lead Witness Coach Eric Garcia, Assistant Attorney Coach Alison Worthington and Assistant Coaches Juan Salmeron, Sengdeuane Tom and Maria Yu!!
Monterey Highlands is proud of every student and coach for their outstanding representation of the school in one of the county’s most challenging and engaging academic and performance-oriented competitions.
