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Centennial High students stage mock trial, showcase county championship-winning team
Summary
Centennial High School students presented scenes from their county-winning mock trial at the Kern County Board meeting, demonstrating courtroom procedures and trial advocacy skills; coaches and students described the competition and upcoming state-level participation.
Centennial High School’s mock trial team performed excerpts from a county competition during the Kern County Board of Education meeting, and board members heard that the team won the county mock trial championship and will compete at state next month.
The presentation showcased both prosecution and defense examinations, witness introductions and cross-examinations. Brett Dobson, the team coach, told the board he has coached mock trial for more than two decades and introduced students who acted as counsel and witnesses.
The students performed opening identifications and direct- and cross-examination excerpts that mimicked a real courtroom proceeding. In the prosecution segment, student actors portraying a victim and a deputy provided testimony about a kidnapping and subsequent investigation; defense students called the accused and expert witnesses to contest evidence. Several students also introduced themselves in character, including Jocelyn Sandoval as co-counsel and Gracie Miller as a deputy investigator.
Coach Dobson told the board the team practices real trial procedures and argued a pretrial motion in competition earlier this year. Board members praised the students’ poise and legal reasoning during the staged proceedings. Dobson said Centennial has won the county competition six consecutive years and placed in the state top 10 the last two years; the team will represent the county at the state competition next month.
Board President thanked the students and coaches for the demonstration and noted the program’s role in student enrichment and civic education. The board did not take any formal action on the presentation; it was presented for information and recognition.
The mock trial presentation began in the meeting’s presentations portion and concluded after a question-and-answer period; coaches said the students’ work exemplifies hands-on civics learning and public-speaking development.
