The Bishop Ryan Law Society proudly won the 2025 Margaret Janzen Memorial Cup, a mock trial competition hosted by the Ontario Bar Association (OBA) and the Ontario Justice Education Network (OJEN).
Named in memory of Margaret Janzen, a respected Crown attorney who served the Waterloo Region for many years, this competition gives high school students the opportunity to experience the courtroom through simulated trials. It helps students build legal knowledge, public speaking skills, and confidence.
While Bishop Ryan traditionally competes in the Hamilton Region, the local tournament has not been held for the past three years. As a result, the team chose to participate in the Waterloo Region this year. The preliminary rounds took place on May 14, with the final rounds held on May 16, 2025. The team’s strong legal knowledge, courtroom skills, and teamwork led them to a championship victory.
Bishop Ryan’s students spent many hours preparing—researching their case, building arguments, and practicing witness examinations. Their hard work was rewarded with the championship title and individual recognition: Nouf Al-Hameli received the Best Witness Award for her outstanding performance.
The team’s journey to victory was marked by impressive dedication. Thanks to the Specialist High Skills Major (SHSM) program, transportation was provided for the preliminary rounds. For the semi-finals and finals, students woke up at 4:00 a.m. to catch the GO Bus to Waterloo, returning home to Hamilton at 9:30 p.m. It was a long and demanding day, but the students stayed focused, energized, and determined throughout.
The members of the Bishop Ryan Law Society included: Sandra Abro, Alexia Adekoya, Adam Alkazely, Nouf Al-Hameli, Safiya Chaudri, Julia Dolibog, Ava Fraser, Morike Oluwa Gbolade-Shobowale, Maya Harb, Kamara Mbanefo, Jonathan Murqus, Nicole Osuachala, Ini Oyetunji, Haania Qureshi, Venessa Uzoukwu.
The team was guided and supported by their Teacher Advisor, Ms. Sheri Civitareale.
This championship win is a testament to the students’ resilience, talent, and dedication, reflecting both their readiness to rise to any challenge—no matter how early the wake-up call—and the strength of the Bishop Ryan Law Society and its law program.
