By Jennifer Bader

Chaminade Mock Trial once again proved why it is one of the top programs in California at the Stanley Mosk Courthouse Monday night. The middle school team successfully defended their title defeating John Adams from Santa Monica and winning the 2017 Los Angeles County Championship. This is the 6th county championship for the middle school Legal Eagles. The 2015 and 2016 champion high school team also earned a return trip to the finals, their third consecutive appearance. The team finished second to iLead of North Hollywood.

Sophia Nations ‘22 was awarded the MVP for her portrayal of the Defendant Casey Davidson, and Defense Attorney Samantha Bader ’18 received the award for the high school final. Freshman Armen Ajemian ’21 won Outstanding Defense Attorney for the entire high school competition.

Los Angeles is the largest county competition in the nation with over 150 teams and more than 2,600 competitors. Every year, the teams start in August to prepare all of the elements of a criminal case which they will argue in front of sitting judges and practicing attorneys. This year’s case, The People vs. Davidson, focused on a murder investigation at a political rally in Acorn, CA.

The members of the 2017 Los Angeles County Champions are Madison Cheramie ‘22, Sophia Goldsmith ’22, Maddie Gutshall ’22, Emma Heafner ’22, Rachel Lee ’22, Luke McNulty ’22, Gabby Munoz ’22 Noelle Nashed ’22, Jonathan Park ’22, Sofia Piolanti ’22, Katie Santourian ’22, Samai Srinivasan ’22, Madison Teopaco ’22, and Sam Woznica ’22.

The members of the 2017 Los Angeles County Runner Up are Samantha Bader ’18, Dario Cardenas ’21, Chris Collins ’19, Matthew Delgado ’19, Spencer Delgado ’18, Claire Fairtlough ’19, Louis Gerny ’18, Shane Scarpace ’18, Rebecca Steinberg ’18, Skylar Takac ’21, and Julia Wilson ’19. The teams are coached by Jennifer and Bert Bader.