Court Is Adjourned—With a Win
Torrey Mock Trial Celebrates a Historic Season as County Champions and Among California’s Best.
La Jolla Country Day School’s Mock Trial team rose to the challenge in 2025, completing the most successful season in its 15-year history. The team earned the San Diego County Championship title and placed seventh in the state of California out of more than 450 teams.
After a perfect 6–0 run through the county competition, Torreys secured the title in a close championship round against Francis Parker School (832–815), marking their second county championship in five years and their third trip to the finals overall. Their efforts were led by standout prosecution attorneys Elle Acuna, Emma Kuhn, and Ava Mendoza, with critical performances by witnesses Delilah Shulman, Jordan Jones, Rafa Timmermann, and Kelsey Lewis, and clerk Asha Patel.
Reflecting on the experience and her personal growth, junior Ava Mendoza shared with the Union-Tribune, “Before mock trial, as an actor, I was terrible at improvisation, but in mock trial you have to speak clearly and be able to improv. It forced me to be comfortable coming up with things on the spot and being able to speak in a way that sounds professional.” She added, “The way my peers handle questions shows so much poise and confidence. It’s so inspiring for me.”
From San Diego to Los Angeles, the Torreys kept the momentum going at the 44th Annual California Mock Trial State Championship at the historic Biltmore Hotel. Over four rounds of competition, TMT posted a 3–1 record, sweeping all ballots in Rounds 2, 3, and 4—earning nine of twelve ballots possible, and ultimately finishing seventh statewide.
A special moment of pride came when Kelsey Lewis ’26 was named Best Bailiff in California, recognized for her commanding “ALL RISE!” that echoed through courtrooms across both competitions. She was the only TMT member to compete in all four rounds at state and nine of the ten total rounds across the season. Asha Patel ’28 also earned an honorable mention for her seven rounds of service as clerk and unofficial timer.
The state tournament also marked the final mock trial appearances for several standout seniors: Anna Holland, Siena Bateman, Emilie Brewer, Elinor Stickney, Nic Shah, and Gabriel Rosen-Ahmed—many of whom have served the team with distinction for multiple years and helped shape the culture of excellence and camaraderie TMT is known for.
Reflecting on the experience and her personal growth, junior Ava Mendoza shared with the Union-Tribune, “Before mock trial, as an actor, I was terrible at improvisation, but in mock trial you have to speak clearly and be able to improv. It forced me to be comfortable coming up with things on the spot and being able to speak in a way that sounds professional.” She added, “The way my peers handle questions shows so much poise and confidence. It’s so inspiring for me.”
The team’s success was truly a full-squad effort. Earlier rounds were driven by the defense team, led by attorneys Elinor Stickney, Nic Shah, and Anna Holland, and supported by witnesses Siena Bateman, Quinn Raineri, Anya Rosen-Ahmed, and Gabriel Rosen-Ahmed, with Anya Zenooz playing a key all-around role.
From San Diego to Los Angeles, the Torreys kept the momentum going at the 44th Annual California Mock Trial State Championship at the historic Biltmore Hotel. Over four rounds of competition, TMT posted a 3–1 record, sweeping all ballots in Rounds 2, 3, and 4—earning nine of twelve ballots possible, and ultimately finishing seventh statewide.
A special moment of pride came when Kelsey Lewis ’26 was named Best Bailiff in California, recognized for her commanding “ALL RISE!” that echoed through courtrooms across both competitions. She was the only TMT member to compete in all four rounds at state and nine of the ten total rounds across the season. Asha Patel ’28 also earned an honorable mention for her seven rounds of service as clerk and unofficial timer.
The state tournament also marked the final mock trial appearances for several standout seniors: Anna Holland, Siena Bateman, Emilie Brewer, Elinor Stickney, Nic Shah, and Gabriel Rosen-Ahmed—many of whom have served the team with distinction for multiple years and helped shape the culture of excellence and camaraderie TMT is known for.
Jonathan Shulman, Director of the Center for Excellence in Citizenship, reflected on the team’s preparation and adaptability, telling the Union-Tribune, “One of our never-ending sayings is that script is death… The ones that can make that adjustment on the fly [do better]. It’s not about what an opponent does, it’s about how we respond.” He added, “Every single TMT team member stood tall over the course of an extraordinary weekend.”
This year was particularly meaningful for the team, as it marked the first time LJCDS physically advanced to the state finals in Los Angeles. “The previous year that we won was 2021 and everything was online,” Shulman said. “This is our first time physically going to state, so to go there with the top teams … is really exciting.”
The team is supported by a powerhouse group of attorney-coaches: Sallie Blackman, Dan Greene ’94, Lucy Peritz ’15, Andy Sigal, and Alex Goutnova Martinez ’19, several of whom joined the team for the state competition. Alumni Veronica Chandler ’16 and Gio Cozic ’24 also cheered them on in LA. Equally essential to the team’s growth and success are LJCDS teachers Dan Norland, Samuel Kullens, and Jessica Novak, whose behind-the-scenes guidance, mentorship, and encouragement helped shape this season’s remarkable journey.
From opening statements to final verdicts, it was clear: this team didn’t just win—they delivered a masterclass in preparation, performance, and poise.
What are Mock Trial and MUN?
La Jolla Country Day School is home to two of the most dynamic, critical thinking- and creativity-inspiring academic programs in all of Southern California
Torrey Mock Trial challenges students to test their legal reasoning, persuasive speaking, and improvisation skills by portraying attorneys and witnesses in a fictional courtroom trial.
Torrey Model United Nations (MUN) simulates the workings of the United Nations, empowering students to research, debate, and negotiate real-world solutions to global issues. This year, 91 LJCDS students participated in 11 conferences—including international events in the Netherlands and Canada—and brought home a record 72 awards.
At LJCDS, students don’t just study how the world works—they learn to shape it. These are the programs where leaders are made.
