By JANELLE SAUNDERS
​On Dec. 12, Redlands East Valley and Redlands High School Mock Trial teams went head to head in the county championship at the San Bernardino Court House. Both the REV and RHS Mock Trial teams put their best foot forward in finals in order to win and receive the honor of representing the San Bernardino County in the California State Mock Trial competition. Both teams demonstrated a great deal of talent throughout the trials. Each student, whether attorney, witness, clerk, or bailiff, was a different and essential element of their team. The Redlands East Valley Mock Trial team was ultimately victorious and received the honor of going to Sacramento to compete in the California State Mock Trial competition.

The Redlands East Valley High School Mock Trial team has been REV‘s strongest in years. The team is lead by captains Brennan Bartley and Jordan Miller, who have devoted countless hours to their team. Captain Brennan Bartley states that he is “very proud of the team in general, we all deserve this win. It’s great to see the county champions plaque back up on Mr. Berman’s wall again where it belongs! I can’t wait for us to play the state competition again.” The entire team at REV is thrilled about heading to state this spring break, as stated by REV captain Jordan Miller, who explained how “exciting county competition [was] as we defeated the defending state champions and our cross-town rivals RHS. I can’t wait to get to state once again as we can take their place on the pedestal.”

Last year the Redlands High School Mock Trial team had a strong mock trial year, from winning county to winning state and heading to nationals. This year the team’s strength was still evident in every aspect of their case. Captain Ebram Naftzger said that “We had a lot of things going for us, and obviously so does REV. When it comes down to it, though, I can really only echo what the scorers and judge said: either team could’ve won and represented the county well at the next level. REV fought hard for the win and definitely earned it. I’m happy that a new group of kids can experience State, and I don’t doubt that they’ll get good results. Who knows, maybe they’ll win another championship for San Bernardino County.”

Both teams could not have been where they were without the dedication and commitment of their coaches: Edward Berman, James Knox, Gary Fagan, and Judge Craig Kamansky for REV, and Donna St. George, Stephen Levine, Jack Juan, and Derek Raynes for RHS. Each of these coaches put in countless hours studying the case and working with the team. It is because of their unwavering support that their teams are such contenders, and for that they cannot be thanked enough.

The REV mock trial team has been ecstatic about the strides that they have made this year through the season and are excited to be able to represent Redlands East Valley and San Bernardino County in the state competition.