Webb County Court-at-Law II became a stage for both high-stakes drama and civic education this week as theater students from the Vidal M. Treviño School of Communications and Fine Arts (VMT) delivered a riveting performance for the local youth.
Hosted by Judge Victor Villarreal, the event was part of the ongoing Class in the Courtroom Mock Trial Series. This unique initiative bridges the gap between the arts and legal education, giving younger students a front-row seat to the inner workings of the American justice system.
A Storybook Trial with Real Legal Lessons
The VMT performers brought the courtroom to life using a clever, legally-minded adaptation of a classic fairy tale: “Guerita Locks versus Three Bears,” written by Texas State Senator Judith Zaffirini.
A total of 160 elementary school students packed the gallery to participate in the interactive event. Through the engaging and humorous trial, the young audience gained valuable, firsthand knowledge about courtroom roles, legal operations, and the judicial process.
The Cast & Legal Teams
The VMT students stepped seamlessly into their legal and fairy-tale personas, earning high praise for their performances:
The Plaintiff's Team: Skylar Rodriguez starred as the plaintiff, Güerita Locks, represented by Priscilla Bustos as the Attorney for the Plaintiff. They called upon star witness Little Red Riding Hoodie, played by Azul Diaz.
The Defense Team: The Ursine defendants—Mami Bear (Lyana Castro), Papi Bear (Oscar Jimenez), and Bebe Bear (Alexa Muñoz)—were fiercely defended by Christine Vasquez serving as the Attorney for the Defendant.
The State's Witness: Ema Diaz kept the peace and shared critical testimony as Ranger Third Little Pig.
Fostering a Foundation for the Future
The collaboration offered a dual benefit: giving advanced theater students a unique venue to test their improvisational and acting skills, while demystifying the legal system for the elementary students in attendance.
VMT Theater Director Mr. Joe Flores expressed his deep appreciation for Judge Villarreal and the court staff for hosting the event. He noted that having his students perform while simultaneously helping the younger generation learn about the judicial process provides an important civic foundation within the Laredo community.
The successful event concluded with a special thank you to all the educators, court officials, and students who made the impactful experience possible.
(Behind-the-lens coverage and event photos were captured on-site by VMT’s talented Commercial Photography students).