Campbell Union High School District
3235 Union Avenue
San Jose, CA 95124
http://www.cuhsd.org
PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact:
Sergio Diaz Luna - Coordinator of Community Engagement and Communications - (408) 371-0960 or [email protected]
Prospect High School's Mock Trial Team Wins County Mock Trial Championship
San Jose, CA - February 18, 2022
On February 15, 2021, Prospect High School’s Mock Trial defense team defeated Lynbrook High School’s prosecution team in the championship round of the Santa Clara County High School Mock Trial Tournament. The tournament was sponsored by the Santa Clara County Bar Association, the Santa Clara County Office of Education, and the Santa Clara County Superior Court. Furthermore, it was presided over by sitting Superior Court judges and teams were scored by hundreds of local attorneys.
Prospect High School students Luca McAndrew and Kieran Derrington were both voted MVPs. Derrington, a co-captain, noted: “I’m so proud of my whole team, helping to teach and lead my peers has been such an honor. It’s been amazing to watch the team progress this year and I know Prospect High School is ready to take on the state competition!”
This year, to reach the championship round, Prospect went 7-0 in the county tournament, overcoming Gunn, Saratoga, Homestead, Mountain View, Homestead, Willow Glen, and ultimately Lynbrook, in a thrilling final night called the “Superbowl of Mock Trial” by some.
Mia Wercinski, co-captain, said “For the Prospect team, Mock Trial is more than a thrilling extracurricular: it’s a family, a safe space where we push each other to our limits and accomplish goals we could only dream of. Personally, these 4 years of Mock Trial have been a defining experience in my life, and I am forever indebted to the coaches, students, and supporters who have made Prospect Mock Trial the success it is today!"
The Prospect team is coached by Prospect High School teachers Stephen Smith and Marisa Cantone, who shared, “Mock Trial is a true team sport. Every student gets the opportunity to contribute, and throughout the season they keep lifting each other higher and higher. We could not be prouder of our students and their resilience during this difficult school year.” Prospect High School alumni Athena Shiravi, Christian Cotter, and Nick Cotter were also critical in assisting in coaching the team this year
Prospect will advance to the state championship, hosted by the Constitutional Rights Foundation, on March 17-20, 2022 via Zoom and will be recognized by the CUHSD Board of Trustees at the March 3, 2022 Board Meeting.
Board President Gallagher shared, “Congratulations to the Prospect High Mock Trial team on their well-deserved accomplishment! We will all be rooting for them as they represent our community at the state championship.”
For more information, please contact Sergio Diaz Luna at [email protected] or the Prospect mock trial team advisors, Stephen Smith, [email protected] and Marisa Cantone, [email protected].