Yosemite Award Winners: (L to R top) Gabriela Rivas, Marianna Adelizi, Isabella Peter, Alexander Williams, Isabel McGoldrick, (L to R bottom) Amber Persson, Jerome Garcellano, Elise Keeler, Laura Pearson
MADERA COUNTY — Yosemite High School’s prosecution and Liberty High’s defense teams competed in the championship round of the 2016-2017 Honorable Edward P. Moffat Madera County Mock Trial.
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Competing earlier were Madera and Madera South. Liberty won the competition and team members will attend the State Mock Trial on behalf of Madera County. Madera County will be sending a Courtroom Artist from Madera South High School and Journalist from Liberty to the state competition.
“All of the teams did a great job, making for a very competitive contest,” said Dr. Cecilia Massetti, Madera County Superintendent of Schools. “Mock Trial allows students to demonstrate their learning in a powerful way.”
The Mock Trial is a simulation of a criminal court case in which the students act as attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs and clerks. During the fictional case People vs. Awbrey, Cameron Awbrey was tried for human trafficking and false imprisonment. Attorneys from throughout the valley scored the students’ performance. This was Liberty High School’s seventh year participating and fourth win.
Each team was coached by attorneys as well as teachers in preparation for the trial. Yosemite High was coached by teacher Eric McLane and Deborah Brown and attorney Bernie McGoldrick.
Judge Dale Blea, Judge Ernest LiCalsi, Judge Michael Jurkovich, and Judge Charles Wieland presided over the trials. The Mock Trial was held on three separate days and teams participated in four rounds of competition.
Yosemite High School Team Members include Marianna Adelizi, Kourtney Allen, Hope Byars, Jerome Garcellano, Natalie Guynn, Harold Hammond, Haley Hammond, Noah Jennings, Elise Keeler, Isabel McGoldrick, Sophia McGoldrick, Laura Pearson, Amber Persson, Isabella Peter, Gabriela Rivas, Jennifer Springer, Rylie Sullivan, Jasmine Tanoury, Madison Washburn, Alexander Williams. Courtroom Artist: Jericho Garcellano. Coach: Eric McLane and Deborah Brown. Attorney Coach: Bernie McGoldrick.
The Mock Trial and other student academic events are supported by Madera County Office of Education and Madera County Schools Foundation through community and business donations and volunteers. Madera County Superior Court co-sponsored the Mock Trial and the California Rights Foundation provided the trial cases.
