Meet the Coach
Jason Stanford
Coach Stanford started coaching the Niles West Mock Trial Team eight years ago. He has enjoyed working with incredibly smart and motivated young people during his tenure as coach. When he is not coaching, he enjoys running, volunteering, and hanging out with friends and family. Stanford plans to continue coaching at Niles West for the foreseeable future.
Meet The Team
Valentina Esho
Captain Valentina Esho has been a member since her freshman year. She has performed as a witness and attorney. In her free time, she enjoys listening to Hamilton and reading. In the future, she plans to pursue environmental law.
Miruna Cioc
Captain Miruna Cioc has been an attorney in mock trial since her eighth grade year. She is also part of Student Government and Freshman Cabinet. She enjoys playing basketball and watching Netflix outside of school.
Sydney Schroeder
This is Sydney’s third year in mock trial. Outside of mock trial she enjoys playing volleyball and softball, as well as playing in band and singing in choir. In the future, Sydney would like to go into politics.
Julia Aptekar
This is Julia's second year as a witness on the mock trial team. Outside of mock trial, she likes to watch movies, listen to music, and spend time with her friends and family.
Mark John "MJ" Deniega
M.J. Deniega joined mock trial while he was in eighth grade and is an attorney. Outside of mock trial, he enjoys playing volleyball, drawing, playing the violin and guitar, and spending time with his friends and family. Later on in his life, he hopes to become a national volleyball player for the U.S.A. Olympics team.
Mustafa "Aasir" Afzal
Mustafa Aasir Afzal is an attorney in mock trial. His hobbies include playing volleyball, hanging out with my friends, and practicing mock trial. He has wanted to be a lawyer ever since he has been a kid and mock trial felt like the perfect way to start that journey.
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Iqra Rafi
Iqra is a sophomore, and this is her second year on the team and as a witness. Outside of mock trial, Iqra enjoys watching "The Office," watching old movies, and spending time with family and friends. Her favorite movies are "The Outsiders," "Back to the Future," and so many more.
Enna Kim
Enna joined mock trial her freshman year. Outside of mock trial, she enjoys playing/making music, playing basketball, and spending time with family and friends.
Katherine "Katie" Hsiao
Katie Hsiao joined mock trial her freshman year. She loves biking and hanging out with her friends. She joined mock trial because she wants to try something different and meet new people.
Noah Youkhana
Noah joined as an incoming freshman. He's looking forward to learning more about law and the legal system. Outside of school, he likes to work out, watch Netflix, and spend time with friends and family. In the future, he wants to work in law or politics.
Sabrina Nur
Sabrina joined mock trial as an incoming freshman, playing the part of an attorney. In her free time, she loves to read and write, play the violin, swim, and spend time with her friends and family. Sabrina's excited to learn more about what it takes to work in our justice system during her journey through mock trial.
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