JSerra Catholic High School hosted its first Junior High School Mock Trial Tournament last month, with 10 Orange County middle school teams competing in four mock trials. Each involved a hypothetical petty theft case from the Disneyland Emporium Store.
Students from Mission Basilica, Ladera Ranch Middle School, Marco Forster Middle School, Saint Mary School, Saint Cecilia School, Pegasus School, Saint Francis of Assisi School, and Junipero Serra Catholic School conducted opening statements, direct and cross-examination of several witnesses, and closing arguments for a chance to win the grand prize.
The team from Ladera Ranch Middle School took first place winning a $3,500 law magnet scholarship for those students who attend JSerra and join the JSerra Law Magnet Program, as well as receiving a VIP tour of an Orange County courthouse.
Junipero Serra Catholic School placed second and received a $3,500 law magnet scholarship. And Marco Forster Middle School came in third receiving a $2,000 law magnet scholarship.
JSerra also hosted an awards luncheon immediately after the tournament trials were completed, which was attended by over 240 parents, relatives, students, coaches and teachers. The luncheon keynote speaker was Orange County Assistant District Attorney Dennis Conway.