Friends and Fearlessness Motivate Hunter College High School Mock Trial Team
5.12.2025
Sitting down to interview the team captains of the Mock Trial club at Hunter College High School, you can feel the camaraderie of this group from the start. Hunter is returning to the state tournament in Albany this month for the fourth time in four years. The team was state champions in 2022 and this year they beat out the 2023 state championship team Heschel school to secure the Region VI seat at the tournament.
“What’s made our team so successful in years past is partly because of the bond that we all share,” said co-captain Ila Chander. “I don’t think we’d be nearly as successful as we are, or nearly as good at communicating during trials or during practices, if we weren’t all such good friends.”
The team regrouped after losing five seniors last year with student leaders feeling compelled to continue the team’s success. That motivation led to a fearless mantra among the teammates.
“So, the captains Ila, Brianna Finnegan and I, we kept it together. We have to continue our legacy, no matter what happens and create that team bond for sure,” said co-captain Amira J Guindo.
“We say – we’re gonna go to states. It’s setting an expectation so that all of us will strive to meet that goal,” Chander said. “There’s no slacking when it comes to mock trial around here. We know where we want to be, and we know where we want to get to.”
The combination of deeply held friendship and a fearless mindset has served the team well. When asked about what they look forward to in Albany, they gravitate toward the experience over the expectation of winning.
“We’re looking forward to the team bonding. It’s good,” J Guindo said. “I can’t stress this enough, I found a little family and a little community in mock trial.”
“Honestly, going to states is the best every year. We love being in the hotel with the rest of our team,” Chander said.
The statewide Mock Trial program and tournament is sponsored by the New York State Bar Association and funded in part by a grant from The New York Bar Foundation. It brings thousands of high school students together each year to learn about the law, practice public speaking and develop life skills. The state tournament with eight regional teams takes place in Albany each May.
