SDSU Mock Trial has been hard at work over the past few months; transitioning into a high-impact program centered on developing critical thinking and public speaking skills. As well as a knowledge of legal practices and trial advocacy. President Ian Mariano Von Dyl along with the remainder of the Executive Board have been focusing on developing collaborative learning practices that will give students a foundational knowledge of law and courtroom practices. These skills will allow students to develop their own work in this year’s competition as well as give them useful tools for their future careers. This is only a glimpse of what is to come but it is important to look back at the season that got SDSU Mock Trail to the place it is now.
During the 2022-2023 season SDSU Mock Trial competed at an Invitational as well as attended many scrimmages with schools across Southern California. During the upcoming year we plan to as much as double our participation at events and will even have a chance at traveling across the country if awarded the opportunity at our Regional competition. During the UCSD Fall Invitational in 2022, SDSU Mock Trial was awarded a witness award for providing a convincing and captivating portrayal of a character. Infact, alumni Bri Mendez was the highest scoring witness at the competition! This is one of many awards SDSU Mock Trial plans to take home this year.
In the 2022-2023 Mock Trial season, many great strides were taken as a program. From recruiting approximately 20 new members, most of whom have pledged to continue into the upcoming season, to recruiting a Coaching Staff that has experience competing at mock trial Nationals and who are current law students at Cal Western School of Law. Aside from having two strong teams who were able to hold their own against some of the best teams in the state, the social and community aspects of SDSU Mock Trial have never been stronger. SDSU Mock Trial fostered a safe and welcoming place to practice law and make friends who share the same. Events such as our White Elephant social and Invitationals are two of many times our team grew closer.