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

Miruna Cioc
Captain Miruna Cioc has been an attorney in mock trial since her eighth grade year. When she's not in the courtroom delivering closing arguments, she loves having movie and show marathons, with her all-time favorite being NCIS.

Enna Kim
Captain Enna Kim joined mock trial her freshman year. Outside of mock trial, she enjoys playing/making music, playing basketball, and spending time with family and friends.

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 and working out. Later on in his life he wishes to become a physical therapist.

Mustafa "Aasir" Afzal
Mustafa Aasir Afzal is an attorney in mock trial. His hobbies include working out, hanging out with 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.

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.

Katie Rakocha
Outside of mock trial club, Katie takes part in Orchestra board, UNICEF club as well as cross country/track. Some of her hobbies include playing the violin, playing tennis and spending time with friends and family. She's excited to learn more about the legal system and public speaking through mock trial.

Tristan Hagle
Tristan Hagle joined mock trial in his freshman year and has been both an attorney and a witness. He joined mock trial in order to learn more about the legal system. In his free time he likes to play the cello, play video games, and spend time with his friends.

Iqra Rafi
Iqra joined the team in her freshman year as a witness. In her free time, she likes watching movies; her favorite being Back To The Future. She also loves spending time with her friends in her family.