Edhat Staff
2018 Santa Barbara County Mock Trial champions from Dos Pueblos High School
Source: Santa Barbara County Education Office
The annual Santa Barbara County Mock Trial competition concluded Saturday, March 3, at the Santa Barbara County Courthouse. After a close vote, the Dos Pueblos team emerged victorious, edging out San Marcos High School. With the victory, Dos Pueblos earned the honor to represent Santa Barbara County at the state competition, which will be held March 16-18 at the Orange County Superior Court.
Saturday’s competition was the second successive weekend for mock trial competitors at the County Courthouse. Dozens of students from seven Santa Barbara County schools competed over the course of the trials. Santa Barbara and Santa Ynez Valley Union high schools had also advanced to this weekend’s events and were featured in the morning semifinal round.
“It’s been two great weeks of competition,” said Ellen Barger, an assistant superintendent with the Santa Barbara County Education Office, which organizes the annual event. Barger, along with Judge Brian Hill, presented the trophy to the winning team. “The deep preparation, critical analysis, and reasoned arguments that all of this year’s competitors demonstrated is a testimony to the effort they put into the competition, as well as a credit to the coaches who work so hard preparing their teams.”
“It’s a thrill being a part of this competition,” said local attorney Tyron Maho, one of the coaches for the Dos Pueblos team. “It’s a special privilege to get to represent the county at the upcoming state competition. We love seeing the hard work each of our team members has put in pay off like this.”
“The skill, passion, and poise each of the student competitors displayed is remarkable,” said County Superintendent Susan Salcido. “We are grateful for their efforts, for the efforts of their parents and coaches, and for the support of the Santa Barbara County Bar Association, whose assistance is instrumental in helping this competition thrive.”
Special thanks go to those who presided over this weekend’s round of competition: Chris Cobey, Judge Donna Geck; Judge Kay Kuns and retired Judge George Eskin; Judge Michael Carrazzo and Judge Brian Hill presided over the finals.
