HONOLULU — The Island School mock trial team took the semifinals and finals on Saturday, April 1, 2023, winning the state championship in the Hawai‘i Mock Trial competition on O‘ahu.
The Voyager mock trial team qualified for the state championship only three days before boarding an airplane for O‘ahu following its win over Mililani High School to get into the championship round.
Appearing before Hawai‘i Supreme Court Associate Justice Todd W. Eddins in the Hawai‘i Supreme Court building, the Voyagers successfully got past the Moanalua High School Silver team in the semifinals, and took the finals over the Moanalua High School Blue team.
“Moanalua High School was a very tough competitor,” said Mychal Brosamer, a team parent, whose son Jacob Brosamer was awarded the Most Outstanding Attorney award in both the semifinal and final rounds. “Prior to this year, Moanalua had taken 11 of the past 13 Hawai‘i Mock Trial championships.”
Other Voyagers students earning special recognition included Miranda “Andie” Rodriguez and Isabella Bivens, who earned Most Outstanding Witness awards during the semifinals and finals.
The Voyagers were led by captain Talia Beebe, finishing the year with seven wins and one loss.
“This was the combined efforts of my incredible team, and an infinitely supportive coach,” Beebe said.
Andrew McMullen has been coaching the team for the past five years. During his tenure, McMullen has led the Voyagers to victory twice, including the win on Saturday.
“I am proud of the team’s efforts throughout the competition,” McMullen said. “They were particularly skilled at thinking and responding on their feet to the legal and factual issues presented to them during the trials. This is not something you can really prepare for — it is an art and skill developed over time.”
During mock trial competitions, students act as attorneys, bailiffs, clerks and witnesses. Those students playing the roles of attorneys need to prepare opening and closing statements, cross-examine witnesses and demonstrate their knowledge of the legal process and court systems.
With its state championship, the Island School team has qualified to represent Hawai‘i at the National High School Mock Trial Championships in Little Rock, Arkansas, in May.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 ordfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
