The Career and Technical Education Center Mock Trial Team was recently named co-champions in the Mock Trial Region 10 Competition. Region 10 is routinely one of the largest and most competitive regions in the state and this is the third straight trip to state competition for the CTEC-based team!

The team has been preparing since September, logging hundreds of hours of case time between practices, scrimmages and tournament rounds. The team represented either the prosecution or defense in alternating rounds this year, with the case centering on charges of attempted kidnapping and felony murder.

During the contest, three attorneys and three witnesses represent each school’s side. Each attorney has the opportunity to directly examine one of the witnesses and cross-examine a witness from the other team. 

Rounds are competitive and can take two and a half to three hours, depending on how many objections and the quality of the arguments are made. At the conclusion, each match has three scoring judges who score their ballot to determine the winner of each match. 

The CTEC Mock Trial Team has won 15 straight matches at regionals and 44 of 47 ballots over the last three years at regionals!

“I am extremely proud of the dedication and 100’s of hours of work the students put in, and to win Region 10 three years in a row is an amazing feat,” said Ben Ewald, mock trial teacher and coach. “It is a testament to the students' drive and desire to compete at the highest level.”

At state, the students will compete in four rounds. If they are in the top four after the first two days of competition, they will continue in the competition with the opportunity to represent Texas at nationals in Little Rock this May. Best of luck at state!

The team is coached by Ben Ewald and Ernest Leonard.

• Esha Bandi - Centennial

• Ava Boswell - Wakeland

• Christine Han - Liberty

• Nivedhithaa Manikandan - Independence

• Saanvi Mylavarapu - Independence

• Jackson Price - Memorial

• Gisela Figuerola Riveira - Reedy

• Kishen Sargur - Heritage

• Maya Silberman - Liberty

• Nitin Sudarsanam - Lone Star

Government and Public Administration (Public Service Endorsement)

Mock trial is part of the Government and Public Administration pathway. Learn more:

• 2023-24 High School Academic Guide and 4-Year Course Plan

• Explore the program pathway

• Secondary Course Catalog