The Mock Trial Team at Barbara Goleman Senior High School in Miami Lakes came in second out of 14 schools in Miami Dade County Public Schools’ district contest this year, the second year in a row that they won 2nd place, Teacher Ana Soto-Gonzalez said. The students argued both sides of a civil case about water pollution caused by fertilizer runoff. Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Jeffrey Rodriguez, who is also an attorney, presided as judge for the team’s video submission. He has worked with the team for the past three years, Soto-Gonzalez said. The students’ performance is scheduled to be recognized at the April 12 town council meeting in Town Hall, Soto-Gonzalez said.
“I’ve been coaching mock trial for 20 years and I can say that whether the kids win or lose, it’s what they get out of it in the long run that matters,” Soto-Gonzalez said. “I believe that my students will benefit long after their mock trial experiences have ended. They will have gained knowledge, confidence and they learn how to work together as a team.”
Shown in the photo above, from left: Teacher Ana Soto-Gonzalez, who also coaches the mock trial team; Grace Valdeon; Dwight Mattox; Leonardo Ladeira; Crystal Lahori; Taylor Carballo; Maria Sabina; Isabella Santa; Destiny Arias; Alexa Galue; Mayte Mendez; Sebastian Perez; Gabriel Hubbert; Salvador Avelar and center in back, Miami Lakes Vice Mayor Jeffrey Rodriguez. Photo courtesy of the school.