La Reina High School Captures Second Consecutive California Mock Trial Championship

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif., March 26, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The La Reina High School Mock Trial Team captured the 2012 California State Championship on March 25 in Sacramento.  This accomplishment is the second consecutive state title for La Reina.  The team from Thousand Oaks won trials against Templeton High (San Luis Obispo County), Stockdale High (Kern County), Enoc High (Stanislaus County) and Clovis North High (Fresno County). The final match found La Reina's defense competing against the prosecution from Dos Pueblos High School from Santa Barbara County, with Senior District Court Judge William B. Shubb, United States District Court, presiding.

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120326/DC76667)

La Reina's Mock Trial team also won the world championship at the Empire City Mock Trial Invitational Tournament in 2011, the California State Championship in 2008 and 2011, and the Ventura County Championship 17 times since 1990.

The team will represent California at the National Mock Trial Competition, to be held in Albuquerque, New Mexico, from May 3 through 6.

Team members include seniors Olivia Polk and Hannah Young; juniors Hannah Delsohn, Elizabeth Hribal, Lena Melillo and Rachel Warner; sophomores Olivia Aulicino, Ryanne Bamieh, Camila Hamideh and Nisha Srinivasa; and freshmen Reilly Jones, Devin Montgomery and Ally Zlaket.  Attorney coaches are Ron Bamieh, Kendall Jones, Jean Wentz and Rick Wentz; the faculty coaches are Nayantara Bushen (La Reina alumna from 2008) and Liz Harlacher.

According to the Constitutional Rights Foundation, the 2012 Mock Trial program engaged over 8,000 students in 36 California counties, with 32 schools participating in the state finals.

Sr. LaReina Kelly, president of La Reina High School, said, "We are proud of our team and the excellence they demonstrate in their ability to learn, analyze and articulate a complex legal situation.  We are also grateful to our faculty, coaches and donors who make this program possible.   Our success in the Mock Trial program demonstrates our mission, especially the 'opportunities we provide for students to grow intellectually, to develop their individual gifts, and to be catalysts for the promotion of justice.'"

La Reina High School is a Catholic college preparatory junior and senior high school for girls in grades 7 through 12.  Established in 1964 and sponsored by the Sisters of Notre Dame, La Reina provides a strong spiritual and academic foundation in a nurturing environment.  Extensive information about La Reina is available at the school's website, www.lareina.com.

CONTACT: Lisa Megaffin
805-495-6494, ext. 382
805-402-8623

SOURCE La Reina High School