The John Marshall Law School awarded $80,000 in tuition waivers to outstanding high school students who participated in the law school’s 5th Annual High School Mock Trial Competition Nov. 5, 2010, at the law school.
The program, sponsored by the Office of Diversity Affairs, brings together high school students from private and public schools to learn the basics about the legal system and the mechanics of putting on a trial. The students then are divided into teams to present a mock trial where the winners receive tuition waivers that can be used at The John Marshall Law School should the students meet the criteria for future admission.
This year, 80 students participated. They represented Hubbard High School, Kenwood Academy High School,
Rickover Naval Academy, North Lawndale College Prep, School of the Arts- South Shore, Chicago International Charter School – Ralph Ellison High School, John Marshall High School, Hales Franciscan High School, John Hope College Prep High School and Hillcrest High School.
The top winners receiving $5,000 individual awards were Stewart Romeo of Hales Franciscan who gave the best opening statement; Maria Orozco of Hubbard for best direct; Karina Acevedo of Hubbard for best cross; Javier Magana of Hubbard for best closing argument; and Joseph Ligon of School of the Arts-South Shore who appeared as the best witness.
The first place mock trial team winning $5,000 in tuition waivers was Lizbeth Ferrer of Hubbard; Jackie Melecio of Hubbard; Cesar Blanco of Hubbard; Yusef Hood of Kenwood Academy; and Miles Stokes of Hales Franciscan.
Second place mock trial team members winning $3,000 tuition waivers were Yesenia Diego of Hubbard; Sahquille Henry of North Lawndale College Prep; Lanell Mallory of School of the Arts-South Shore; Dixon Romeo of Kenwood Academy; and Maria Aranda of Hubbard.
Third place mock trial team members winning $2,000 in tuition waivers were Stewart Romeo of Hales Franciscan; Matthew Harston of Kenwood Academy; Karina Acevedo of Hubbard; Javier Magana of Hubbard; and Demetria Diakoumakos of Rickover Naval Academy.
Fourth place mock trial team members winning $1,0000 in tuition waivers were Strange Warrick of North Lawndale; Natalia Castro of Hubbard; Arleam Gonzalez of Hubbard; Kyle Nichols of Kenwood Academy; and Christopher Shadd of John Hope College Prep.