From Nerves to Nationals, Law Magnet Excels at State

On February 26th, 2026, both the Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet Mock Trial and Moot Court program sent a total of 11 teams and 10 judges to the annual YMCA Youth and Government State Competition. The teams gathered that evening in the Kalahari Resort and Convention Center to listen to opening ceremonies. Many were nervous, but simultaneously excited for the six rounds of legal argument that awaited them the next two days. 

     As sophomore Jose Cantarero puts it, 

“Lowkey I was nervous, but I was motivated after hearing speeches from the opening ceremony. Me and my team listened to our hype songs and we left all our nerves outside the courtroom during competition. My goal going into the competition was to grow and learn from my mistakes so that next year, which is the most important year, I can do my absolute best.”

     On the first day of rounds, the Mock Trial teams headed to the Austin Community College Highland Campus to begin their competition. But right after doing the “We will mock you chant,” tragedy struck one of the teams. Amidst Head Coach Mr. Gonzales’ pre-game mantra, one sophomore team led by Manav Amipara was suddenly informed that one of their members had lost their voice! Tonal Aguinaga, a double expert witness, had fallen sick and was physically unable to speak the day of competition. 

“I was honestly shocked. When I got off the bus, I just couldn’t talk anymore. Whispering was the best I could do. I felt like I disappointed my team cause it was 15 minutes before rounds. Our team chaperones were very supportive and I’m very thankful to them as they helped me get better so I could compete the second day. I’m also very grateful to Kranthi for being able to sub in and contribute and help our team get 8th.” -Tonal Aguinaga 

     “I went to state thinking I wouldn’t compete at all. But as soon as Manav came up to me telling me I needed to compete with them my jaw dropped. There was a solid 10 seconds where nothing registered in my brain. My only thought was ‘like what?’ After that I asked for details and it was really crazy because I was told I had to compete for a team just 10 minutes before rounds started.” – Kranthi Peri 

     However, the show had to go on. Despite the unprecedented situation this team was thrown into, they, along with their peers, headed to their first rounds of the day. 

     Meanwhile, on a bus ride to St. Edwards University, the Law Magnet Moot Court teams anxiously anticipated their own arrival. The short drive there was filled with tension, last minute questions, and frantic searches for bandaids.

“I came in very nervous, but I told myself I had to try my best and let God handle everything else.”-Ni’Koriya Brown (Third Place Appellate Judge)

     When they finally arrived at the university, the teams circled around their coach, Mr. Zambrano, who assured them that they had nothing to worry about. He advised them to just trust themselves and the work they had put into preparation. With his encouragement and final exchanges of “good luck” the teams split off to face their first rounds.

     Throughout the day, the teams met up between rounds and during lunch to debrief their highs and lows from competition. They exchanged funny stories, suggested new arguments they heard to improve their content, and make any necessary changes to their speeches. 

     As Mia Castillo put it,

“There was a lot of communicating with one another because we all helped each other throughout our practices and gave feedback to build each other’s arguments. It just felt like such a good environment where everyone is friends with everyone, helping the team succeed together.” 

After their rounds, all the teams headed back to the Kalahari to rest and regroup. They woke up at the crack of dawn of the next day, to get in a wildly long line for coffee and meet their teams downstairs. The competitors gathered at the  Travis County Civil Courthouse and the Austin Federal Courthouse for rounds four through six. After a tiring day of lengthy arguments, nerve wracking questions, and redundant objections, the competition was finally over. Teams headed back to the Kalahari one last time, nerves at an all time high, as they waited for awards to be announced. The tension was palpable as the teams anxiously awaited for Judicial Rankings to be disclosed, but when they finally were, the teams exulted in celebration.   First announced, receiving 8th place as sophomores were

JB 513: Manav Amipara, Anurag Mittal, Manha Raza, Juliana Garza, Tonal Aguinaga, Emilio Vega, and Kranthi Peri

     And after a two year hiatus, the Judge Barefoot Sanders Law Magnet is sending another team to Youth and Government Nationals! Congratulations our 2nd place winners:

JB 514: Paige Wright, Eliana Michael, Jaxon Ryder, Cati Cruz, Natalie De La Rosa, Iya McCormick, and Karen Corpeno

     And senior Mock Trial Members-

Fouzan Yousef who placed 5th as a judge.

And to Suzette Hernandez who was recognized as an outstanding program leader.

     This success only escalated as the program announced Moot Court awards.

Placing top 10 in Moot Courts first ever state conference, congratulations to–

L51: Mia Castillo/Leia Peña (8th place)

     And for the first time, in Moot Courts first ever Youth and Government Conference, a Law Magnet student qualified to Nationals. Congratulations to Ni’Koriya Brown for placing 3rd as a judge!

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     The victories continued outside of the courtrooms as Natalie Ortiz was recognized as a Distinguished Media Delegate in her first year competing! 

     All competitors delivered an outstanding performance at the state level, but results are only a small portion of the story. Now, let’s explore what was going through the minds of competitors throughout the day.

“This was my first year going to State so I was really nervous at first but in the end, I had a lot of fun spending time with my friends and am very grateful I got the opportunity to go.” -Isabella Guerrero (Moot Court Attorney)

“My first year at State didn’t feel real to me. As a team I think we did really well especially with Kranthi subbing in at the last minute. But even without results I had a lot of fun being with everyone and I know we gave it our all.” -Manha Raza (Team 513)

          “We felt like we were flying when we found out we got eight. Afterwards, we went to dinner courtesy of Mr Zambrano, and I got a redbull that night, which was the BEST part of my night.” -Leia Peña (Team L51)

“I want to thank everyone who believed in us, and the most important people of all: my team, for putting in countless hours of work and always being there for each other, even when we didn’t know how things would turn out. Thank you for the laughs, the love, and the friendship. We can’t wait to represent JBS at nationals. overrulers till the end, together we are JBS!” -Iya McCormick (Team 514)