FIFTEENTH NORTHERN MARIANAS COMMONWEALTH LEGISLATURE

______SESSION, 2007 S. R. NO. 15-42

A SENATE RESOLUTION

To recognize and commend the Junior/High School Mock Trial participants in their triumphant victory at the island-wide 2007 Mock Trial Competition held at the Guma Husticia on March 17, 2007.

1 WHEREAS, the annual High School Mock Trial competition has been actively 2 supported by the Northern Marianas Bar Association; and 3 WHEREAS, the mock trial program offered an exiting law-related education 4 program that introduces students to the American legal system and provides a challenging 5 opportunity for personal growth and achievement; and 6 WHEREAS, the mock trial has proven to be an effective learning tool for 7 secondary school students; and 8 WHEREAS, the mock trial program helps students develop useful knowledge 9 about the law, questioning techniques, critical thinking, and oral advocacy skills; and 10 WHEREAS, after months of preparation, the 9th Annual CNMI High School 11 Mock Trial Competition took place at the Judicial Complex in , on March 12 17, 2007; and 13 WHEREAS, Nine private and public high schools from Saipan, , and Tinian 14 battled out in the 9th Annual CNMI High School Mock Trial Competition at the Judicial 15 Complex in Susupe. 16 WHEREAS, this year's participating students are from Eucon International, Grace 17 Christian Academy, , , Mt. Carmel High 18 School, Saipan International School, Saipan Southern High School, Rota High School, 19 and Tinian High School; SENATE RESOLUTION NO. 15-42

1 WHEREAS, Tinian Junior/High School Mock Trial competitors consisting of the 2 following students: Jolene Lizama, Denise Guiao, Nikita Mendiola, Michelle 3 Aquiningoc, Kaisha Aquino, Louvele Borja, Winona Maratita and Genevieve Santos 4 exemplified excellence and poise in the presentation of their case; and, 5 WHEREAS, the success of Tinian Junior/High School can be attributed to the 6 encouragement and moral support of their coaches: Mrs. Lucia Blanco-Maratita, attorney 7 coach; Mr. Tom Fuentes, teacher and head coach, and Ms. Lelia Long, teacher coach; 8 and, 9 WHEREAS, the Tinian Junior/High School attributed its success through the 10 unselfish support and assistance given by the Mrs. Lucia Blanco-Maratita, Mr. Tom 11 Fuentes, and Ms. Lelia Long, who provided the nurturing, discipline and the backbone 12 for their successful triumph to victory on March 17, 2007; and 13 WHEREAS, through their victory, the Tinian Junior/High School will serve as 14 ambassadors for the CNMI while at the National High School Mock Trial Competition 15 that will be held in Dallas, Texas on May 10, 2007; and 16 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED by the Senate, that the Tinian Junior/High School 17 faculty is hereby honored and recognized for their devotion, encouragement and 18 involvement in the academic excellence of their students; Now, therefore, 19 BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the President of the Senate shall certify, and 20 the Senate Legislative Secretary shall attest to the adoption of this Resolution and the 21 Senate Clerk thereafter transmit certified copies to individual members of the Tinian 22 Junior/High School Mock Trial Team; Jolene Lizama, Denise Guiao, Nikita Mendiola, 23 Michelle Aquiningoc, Kaisha Aquino, Louvele Borja, Winona Maratita and Genevieve 24 Santos; Mrs. Lucia Blanco-Maratita, attorney coach; Mr. Tom Fuentes, head coach; and 25 Ms. Lelia Long, teacher coach; Ms. Florine M. Hofschneider, Principal; Mr. David Borja, 26 Commissioner of Education; Mayor of Tinian, the Honorable Jose P. San Nicolas; CNMI 27 Bar Association, Ms. Maya Kara, President; CNMI Attorney General, Mr. Mathew

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1 Gregory; Governor of the Commonwealth of the Northern , the 2 Honorable Benigno R. Fitial; and the Washington Representative, the Honorable Pedro 3 A. Tenorio.

Date: 3/19/07 Introduced By: /s/ Sen. Luis P. Crisostimo

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