La Reina Takes Top Honors in Mock Trial
La Reina High School won the 17th annual Ventura County Mock Trial competition, beating out teams from Buena, Westlake and Camarillo high schools.
The win marks the eighth time in 11 years that the all-girls high school has taken the top title in the county. Last year, the team placed 12th in the statewide competition.
The winners were announced late Monday after the final round at the Ventura County Hall of Justice.
Buena High placed second, Westlake High third and Camarillo fourth.
Carol Cote, coordinator of the contest, said the competition was tough this year. “It’s always competitive,” she said. “It was just extremely close this year.”
The students portrayed lawyers, witnesses, bailiffs and clerks as they argued a make-believe criminal case. In this year’s case, “People vs. Rose,” the defendant, Sam Rose, was charged with poisoning a drink, assault with a deadly weapon and possession of drugs.
La Reina will go on to compete in the statewide contest March 31 to April 2 in Sacramento.
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