Area high school teams compete in regional event
The Lafayette Young Lawyers Association held its annual mock trial tournament at the United States District Court, Western District of Louisiana on Feb. 15. Six teams from Region II competed from Northside High School, LPSS's Early College Academy and Lafayette Christian Academy.
The teams began preparing for the competition back in November with material related to the presented statement of the case, facts and background, witness descriptions from both parties and possible exhibits. The mock trials were held in real courtrooms where teams presented materials before a presiding judge and a jury of scoring attorneys - family and friends were present in the crowd to support the teams.
Each team competed in two preliminary rounds and were given the opportunity to play the roles of plaintiff and defendant leading the top two scoring teams to the final championship round. This year's final was between two Northside High School teams - both will move to compete at the state level in Shreveport on March 29.
Judge Paul deMahy with Northside High School's first place team:
Nathan Boone, Jasea Ned, Deontre Narcisse, Tucker Guilbeau, Isiah Chavis,
Tatyana Shelvin, Ellis Field and Breanna Lewis
Northside High School second place team: Liz Tulier, Reginold Boudreaux, Jaslyn Moore,
Jamila Dugas, Kyler Jacquet, Herb Manuel, Ashley Porter, Kim Obey and Kristen Onezine