The Chaminade Middle School Mock Trial team went undefeated to capture the 2013 Constitutional Rights Foundation Los Angeles County Mock Trial Championship. This is their fourth championship in six years.

This year, more than 2,000 students argued the People v. Concha, a murder case involving illegal prescription drug use. After more than a month of competition, the team faced Jefferson Middle School from the San Gabriel Valley in the championship round.  The defense team, led by attorneys Louis Gerny ’18, Rebecca Steinberg ’18, and Claire Rider ’18 presented their case to Superior Court Judge Ron Rose and a panel of practicing litigators. This is the third consecutive year that Chaminade and Jefferson have faced each other in the finals.

Hannah Sellfors ’18 was awarded Best Witness for her role as the defendant, Rae Concha. Prosecution attorneys Samantha Bader ’18 and Maya Desai ’18, as well as defense witness Jordan Cheney ’18 were also recognized for their performances throughout the competition.

Mrs. Jennifer Bader, who has coached the team since it began in 2007, was honored with the Helen Bernstein Tribute Award as Teacher Coach of the year. The award honors one teacher who demonstrates the capacity to inspire learning and to motivate and has a history of emphasizing good sportsmanship and citizenship skills with her students. The middle school team has been to the finals six times in seven years of competition.

The members of the 2013 Championship Team are, Class of 2018, Samantha Bader, Kojo Boakye-Nimako, Caroline Cha, Jordan Cheney, Maya Desai, Oceania Eshraghi, Louis Gerny, Michael Keating, Lara Mikhail, Jackie Mulcahy, Mason Purece, Claire Rider, Hannah Sellfors, Rebecca Steinberg, and Delaney Teehan.