Local News in Brief : Our Lady of Corvallis’ Team Advances to Mock Trial Finals

The 13-member mock trial team from Our Lady of Corvallis--the San Fernando Valley’s first Roman Catholic high school, which is on the verge of closing--is on its way to the state finals of the Mock Trial Competition to be held in Sacramento in February.

The all-girl team captured the Los Angeles County title for the senior high mock trial division last Thursday, during the final round of competition, by defeating Burbank High School.

The Corvallis team won over 43 teams in the annual competition, which is open to all junior and senior high schools in Los Angeles County. They will compete with approximately 22 high schools from throughout the state.

The team “tried” a case titled “People vs. Coronel,” based on a historical self-defense case.

During the month-long contest, sponsored by the Constitutional Rights Foundation, each team participates in six rounds and must be prepared to argue either the prosecution or the defense. Students act as counsel, court clerk and witnesses, and cases are judged before a scoring attorney and a Municipal or Superior Court judge.

“It was challenging, exciting and rewarding,” said Principal Christie Thranow of the Studio City school’s team. “It’s especially gratifying at this point in time. Now we’re going on to Sacramento to bring back the honor.”

Our Lady of Corvallis will close next June due to declining enrollment and changing demographics.

The school also won the Los Angeles County title in December, 1983.