North Creek High School Students to Participate in the 2024 YMCA State Mock Trial Championships

After an impressive performance at the regional competition in February, the North Creek Mock Trial team is advancing to the state tournament, taking place March 22-24. This is the first time a team from the Northshore School District has qualified for the state tournament! The state mock trial tournament is a program of YMCA Youth and Government. It is a unique blend of law, debate, and drama, in which students learn about legal issues and court procedures while sharpening their critical thinking and public speaking skills.  

This year’s case involved a contested will. Cordelia Lear has left her considerable fortune to her beloved cat and the fur is flying as the siblings battle it out in court! The top 24 high school mock trial teams from 7 events around the state will compete for the opportunity to travel to the national competition. Volunteer attorneys and judges from around the state judge trials and rate students on their courtroom skills and composure. Way to go, North Creek students!

The NCHS Mock Trial team is coached by Social Studies teacher Laura Barnes. This year’s team members are: 

Petitioners

• Tanya Bhandari (attorney)
• Addison Hardan (attorney)
• Nick Webber (attorney)
• Mizuki Mierau (witness)
• Palak Agarwal (witness)
• Shrita Palla (witness)
• Obydah Jazaeri (witness)

Respondents

• Aaliya Nagori (attorney)
• Mihika Jain (attorney)
• Leah Winn (attorney)
• Nandana Manu (witness)
• Jake Balzer (witness)
• Salma Saleh (witness)
• Hannah Lin (witness)

Additional Team Members

• Alyssa Tsinker  (club president and role alternate)
• Tahia Sarwar  (paralegal and bailiff)