The Morro Bay High School Mock Trial Team took home the big win in county competition. State, here they come. Photo submitted
By Orion Rea
For the second consecutive year, Morro Bay High School (MBHS) has won the San Luis Obispo County Mock Trial championship.
The Pirates were announced as the winners at the awards ceremony February 15 by the chairman of SLO County’s Mock Trial Committee, attorney John Fricks. Since 1998, Fricks has organized San Luis Obispo County’s mock trial program, an engaging civic education program with tournament-style competition in which students simulate a real trial.
A courtroom drawing by MBHS student Mazzyln Paulson shows the school’s attorney Orion Elfant Rea with witness Noah Moreno at the SLO County Courthouse. Image by Mazzyln Paulson
Last year, for the first time in the school’s history, the Pirates won the county championship and qualified to compete in the State of California Mock Trial Competition. Out of 32 qualifying teams in Los Angeles, MBHS placed 15th overall, an impressive first-time showing. At county competition this year, the Morro Bay defense team beat Templeton High School in the semifinal round, and San Luis Obispo High School in the final round.
After the win, Fricks recognized several MBHS students at the awards ceremony. Team captain and club president Karen Lun received a certificate for Best Pre-Trial Attorney, while Astrid Barnett-Davis and Tyler Patel received certificates for Best Pre-Trial Brief. Every student attorney on the Morro Bay team received certificates as well, including Maggie Appel for the defense, Eli Waldman for the defense, Lilah Green for the prosecution, and Orion Rea for both the prosecution and the defense. Additionally, Elsey Ruane received a certificate for best defense witness, and Mazzlyn Paulson won the county medal for best courtroom artist.
In attendance at the February 15 Mock Trial awards were San Luis Coastal Unified School District Superintendent, Eric Prater; Morro Bay High School Principal, Scott Schalde; and San Luis Obispo High School Principal, Rollin Dickinson.
The Pirates depart on March 21 for state competition, and do not show any signs of slowing down as they prepare. Donations to assist MBHS with the funding needed to attend state competition can be made at https://bit.ly/mbmocktrial .
Editor’s Note
Orion Rae is a junior at Morro Bay High School.
