Mock Trial is a newly implemented club at Coronado that is designed to involve and inform students about the judicial system. The idea for the club started with Neha Sundrani, a senior. At the end of last school year, she approached Mr. Verdie Johnson to be the sponsor.

“I reinstated the Mock Trial club this year to encourage students from all grade levels to learn about a career in law,” team captain Sundrani said.

Mock Trial revolves around the authentic proceedings of real court cases. The team is assigned a criminal or civil case and the members are required to hold proceedings. Members divide amongst themselves to act as the defense, prosecution, and witnesses. Before the case is taken to court, the teams collaborate to write a script and prepare to take their stance on the case. Students deliver their arguments in a real county court room with the assistance of a certified District Attorney and Lawyer.

In addition to collaborating with Coronado students, the team competes against other clubs around the region 19 area, allowing them to interact with other teams across the El Paso area and practice their argument skills.

Beyond the benefits of learning about law, students gain numerous lessons from Mock Trial .

“My perspective overall has broadened, as the case we are currently focused on forces us to acknowledge the complexity of situations,” junior Dena Antowan said.

In terms of the contest, Mock Trial’s goal for this year is to excel to Nationals in Athens and hopefully win the competition. The team tries to prepare not by thinking small, but by aiming big and focusing on their track to nationals.

Mock Trial meets every Tuesday and Thursday morning in A-27 from 8:00 to 8:45. The club welcomes anyone to participate.