MADERA COUNTY–On Tuesday, February 27, Madera South High’s prosecution and Yosemite High’s defense teams competed in the championship round of the 2024 Honorable Edward P. Moffat Madera County Mock Trial. The Mock Trial was held on February 7, 13, 15, and 27. Madera South High School won for the first time in the school’s history. The team will attend the State Mock Trial on behalf of Madera County on March 22-24.
Madera High and Matilda Torres High Schools also participated in the Mock Trial. For more information on the Mock Trial check out our article here.
Dr. Cecilia Massetti.
“What an exciting year of competition,” said Dr. Cecilia Massetti, Madera County Superintendent of Schools. “The competition was fierce! All students did a great job and rose to the challenges set before them!”
Madera County will also be sending two Courtroom Artists to the state competition. Beyonce Ramos, from Madera South High School, earned first place and Katharine Jones, from Yosemite High School, earned second place. They are both eligible to represent Madera County at the state Mock Trial. Both artists depicted a courtroom scene during the first round of competition on Wednesday, February 7.
Madera County will be sending one Courtroom Journalist to the state competition. Sebastian Infante, from Matilda Torres High School, won the journalist competition and will represent Madera County at the state competition.
“We are excited to have student artists and journalists from multiple schools join Madera South High to represent Madera County at the state competition,” said Massetti. “We believe in our Madera County champions and know they will shine at the next level of competition.”
2nd Place Courtroom Artist- Katharine Jones, Yosemite High School who will attend the State Mock Trial.
The Case
During the fictional case People vs. Clark, Tobie Clark was on trial for the murder of Clark’s colleague, Kieran Sunshine. Mock Trial students also discussed the Fourth Amendment during the pretrial argument.
The Mock Trial is a simulation of a criminal court case in which the students act as attorneys, witnesses, bailiffs, and clerks. A Madera County judge presided over each trial and attorneys from throughout the Valley scored the students’ performance.
Judge Dale Blea, Judge Brian Enos, Judge Ernest LiCalsi, and Judge Sosi Vogt presided over the trials. All teams competed in four rounds of competition and argued against each participating school.
Volunteers were encouraged to nominate students they felt did an exceptional job during the trials. The highest scoring students earned honorable mention and outstanding student ribbons.
The Yosemite High Team
Yosemite team members included: Clarisse Beaumont, Logan Beaumont, Bill Gao, Elizabeth Garcia, Evelyn Golden, Kenshiro Nagata, Miah Phillips, Lucy Pierce, Alison Shockley, Lucas Simms, Ava Stanley, Brody Suderman, Hunter Washburn. The teams coaches are Thomas Skahill and local attorney Nanette Beaumont.
Each team has local attorneys as well as teachers for coaches in preparation for the trial. Yosemite Highs coachers are Thomas Skahill and attorney Nanette Beaumont. Madera Highs coaches are Melvin Campbell and attorney Nina Benjamin. Matilda Torres High Schools are Simon Palacios and law professionals Isaul Lemus and Miguel Valdovinos.
The Supporters
The Mock Trial and other student academic events receive support from the Madera County Superintendent of Schools and Madera County Schools Foundation through community and business donations and volunteers. Madera County Superior Court co-sponsored the Mock Trial.
California Rights Foundation provided the trial cases.
Outstanding Awards
Prosecution Pretrial Attorney- Thistle Johnson, Madera South High School
Prosecution Attorney- Ava Stanley, Yosemite High School
Prosecution Attorney- Logan Beaumont, Yosemite High School
Prosecution Witness- Brody Vines, Madera High School
Clerk- Daniel Gallegos, Madera South High School
Defense Pretrial Attorney- Isha Herrera, Matilda Torres High School
Defense Attorney- Natalie Valdovinos, Matilda Torres High School
Defense Witness- Aaliyah Castillo, Matilda Torres High School
Bailiff- Angelique Perales, Matilda Torres High School
Honorable Mention Awards
Prosecution Attorney- Mercedes Benavidez, Madera South High School
Prosecution Attorney- Isha Herrera, Matilda Torres High School
Prosecution Attorney- Ariana Mendoza, Madera South High School
Prosecution Attorney- Giselle Ochoa, Madera High School
Prosecution Attorney- Daisy Pedroza, Madera High School
Prosecution Witness- Noah Hernandez, Madera High School
Defense Attorney- Ava Stanley, Yosemite High School
Defense Attorney- Valerie Mendoza, Matilda Torres High School
Defense Attorney- Brody Vines, Madera High School
Defense Attorney- Alexis Gomez, Madera High School
Defense Witness- Simona Jimenez, Torres High School
Defense Witness- Noah Hernandez, Madera High School
