San Bernardino County students win mock trial and poetry contests; student advisory panel begins countywide

San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools Ted Alejandri on Wednesday recognized student achievements across the county, naming Redlands High School Team Blue the county mock trial champions and announcing the county Poetry Out Loud winner, both of whom will advance to state finals in Sacramento in 2025.

Alejandri said more than 20 high schools took part in the county mock trial competition, where students argued a hypothetical criminal case titled People versus Goldwood. “Each team dedicated countless hours to conduct legal research, prepare strategies, and craft persuasive arguments for the hypothetical criminal case, People versus Goldwood,” Alejandri said. A student participant who has served as a witness described the role as enjoyable: “So this is my 2nd year doing it, and I've been a witness both years, and I really enjoyed the roles that I've stepped into.”

The superintendent also announced that 14 students from across the county competed in the 2025 Poetry Out Loud competition, a program supported by the National Endowment for the Arts, the Poetry Foundation and the California Arts Council. Judges heard recitations from students representing the West End, East Valley and High Desert regions; one recitation included the lines, “I've watched thee every hour. I know my mighty sway. I know my magic power to drive thy griefs away.” The county poetry winner will move on to the California state finals in Sacramento, Alejandri said.

Alejandri also noted the launch of the 11th annual San Bernardino County student advisory panel this month. The advisory panel brings together dozens of high school students from the West End, East Valley and High Desert regions to work on community priorities, including behavioral health, injury and violence prevention, and chronic disease. Student groups will deliver final presentations to a panel of elected officials and community leaders during the program's concluding session.

Alejandri framed the activities as part of broader efforts to develop public-speaking, teamwork and civic-engagement skills among county students, and to give youth a voice in the county community transformation plan. “We are proud of the inspiring, innovative, and creative work happening across our county,” he said, and wished the student competitors success at the state level.

No formal actions, votes, or policy changes were taken during these remarks.