MADERA – Yosemite High School won the 2021 Honorable Edward P. Moffat Madera County Mock Trial held between January 26-February 11. Yosemite High School battled Madera High and Madera South High Schools.
Yosemite High School has competed in all 37 mock trial competitions held in Madera County and have been victorious 30 times. Way to go Badgers!
This year’s event was held exclusively online through Zoom. Students competed from their own homes, as teams, arguing the hypothetical case, People vs. Croddy, in front of a Madera County judge.
“We are so impressed with all of the students for competing virtually and continuing the tradition of excellence,” said Dr. Cecilia Massetti, Madera County Superintendent of Schools. “The competition was fierce and all students did a great job!”
Yosemite High School will represent Madera County at the state’s virtual competition March 19-21, 2021. Team members include Hannah Beaumont, Justin Beaumont, Logan Beaumont, Lauren Bernardi, Grayson Bulmer, Jack Dindia, Emma Fries, Elisa Heidebrecht, Jane Irion, Makayla Jeffris, Lexey Jenkins-Nyce, Gabrielle Miller, Gannaen Skeahan, Jaiden Stansberry, Jocelyn Stansberry, Stevie Trujillo. The team was coached by Matt Skeahan and local attorneys Nanette Beaumont and Bernie McGoldrick.
Madera County will also be sending a Courtroom Artist to the state competition. Jordyn McCully from Yosemite High School won the Courtroom Artist competition. She drew a courtroom scene from the trial on Thursday, January 28.
“We are excited to have a student artist represent Madera County at the state competition,” said Massetti. “We wish all of the Yosemite High students luck at the state Mock Trial competition.”
During the fictional case People vs. Croddy, Lee Croddy was tried for aiding and abetting a burglary and as an accessory after the fact. Mock Trial students also discussed the Fifth 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. Attorneys from throughout the valley scored the students’ performance.
Each team was coached by local attorneys as well as teachers in preparation for the trial. The Madera team was coached by Michael Horder and attorney Traci Wise. Madera South was coached by Amanda Elliot-Ester and attorney Noah Marshall.
Judge Ernest LiCalsi, Commissioner Sosi Vogt, and District Attorney Sally Moreno presided over the trials. The Mock Trial was held on six separate days and each team participated in four rounds of competition.
The Mock Trial and other student academic events are supported by 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.
Link to Virtual Awards Ceremony Video: https://youtu.be/ktn7tUAwXqw
Student Awards:
Outstanding Students (highest honors)
Prosecution Pretrial Attorney: Jaiden Stansberry, Yosemite High
Prosecution Trial Attorney: Syan Chavira, Madera South High
Defense Pretrial Attorney: Lauren Bernardi, Yosemite High
Defense Trial Attorney: Hannah Beaumont, Yosemite High
Defense Trial Attorney: Jane Irion, Yosemite High
Defense Witness: Lexey Jenkins-Nyce, Yosemite High
Clerk: Gabrielle Miller, Yosemite High
Bailiff: Ramiro Maciel, Madera High
Honorable Mention
Prosecution Trial Attorney: Lauren Bernardi, Yosemite High
Prosecution Trial Attorney: Grayson Bulmer, Yosemite High
Prosecution Trial Attorney: Ilene Jimenez, Madera High
Prosecution Trial Attorney: Ariana Mendoza, Madera South High
Prosecution Trial Attorney: Jocelyn Stansberry, Yosemite High
Prosecution Witness: Emma Fries, Yosemite High
Prosecution Witness: Lexey Jenkins-Nyce, Yosemite High
Defense Pretrial Attorney: Eduardo Enriquez, Madera High
Defense Trial Attorney: Natalie Cendejas, Madera High
Defense Trial Attorney: Katie Dunivan, Madera South High
Defense Trial Attorney: Ilene Jimenez, Madera High
Defense Witness: Logan Beaumont, Yosemite High
Defense Witness: Makayla Jeffris, Yosemite High
Defense Witness: Anahi Ochoa, Madera South High
