FRISCO, TEXAS – At Centennial High School, countless clubs contribute to the school’s “student ecosystem” and campus culture. Among these clubs is the Mock Trial Club founded by former Centennial High School student and current Centennial English teacher Michael Singler, who now sponsors the club.
“When we first started it, it wasn’t really Mock Trial, it wasn’t really a thing that was going on. The CTE Center was the only team that was in Frisco ISD… and… there was a lot of people that had a passion for it at Centennial” Singler said. “The CTE team could only have, y’know, ten spots… so we decided to make a team of our own.”
The club is well-known for dealing with rather detailed cases, sometimes drawing inspiration from real-life trials. Members of Mock Trial take on the roles of attorneys, witnesses, prosecutors, and other court members, attempting to portray the most realistic versions of interactions that may occur in the courtroom.
The team has secured a spot in the semi-finals for three years in a row, with their most recent having been achieved on January 27th, 2024. The club, although sponsored by Mr. Singler, is mostly student-led, with the “attorneys” spending countless hours researching cases.
“Everyone in the club, they’re very friendly, open arms. Mr. Singler’s a good teacher… and it’s a pretty competitive club” Mock Trial Club member Nandu Bhavanu said. “If you have a competitive personality or you wanna do something outside of school… It’s pretty fun, it keeps me entertained when I’m bored.”
Singler noted that the club appeals to students interested in law or related fields. “If you are really into legal procedures, or if you are wanting to go to law school, or if you were eventually even thinking about becoming a police officer, or even if you’re in theater, I think this is a great club for you because you get the opportunity to play different characters. You also get that practice of becoming available to talk on stage in front of people, and for those of you who want to join the legal field or the legal profession, this is what you’ll be doing in an actual court environment. This is the closest thing you’ll get to a real court environment without getting arrested.”
Overall, the Mock Trial Club provides valuable experience for those who are interested in a future in law. Described by its members as welcoming yet challenging, the club stands out as a meaningful option for students looking to get involved in the world of law.
