This story was originally posted on April 15, 2025.
For the third consecutive year, the Saginaw High School mock trial team has qualified for nationals, continuing a tradition of excellence built on hard work, teamwork and dedication.
The journey to the national stage wasn’t easy. The team, made up of juniors and seniors, faced tough competition and unexpected challenges throughout the season, including adapting on the fly during state rounds and even performing double roles when unexpectedly shorthanded.
“We had to do a lot of thinking on our feet,” said Stephanie Rota, an SHS senior. "You’re supposed to have eight people on the team, but we only had seven. One of us had to play two different witnesses in the same trial."
Greta Groves, a junior in the role of an attorney, recalled one round where a piece of evidence she prepared to introduce wasn’t allowed. However, she turned that into an advantage for their team.
"Even though they didn't allow the piece of evidence, all the questions I was asking were objectable, but the other side didn't object, so the jury still got that information even though the piece of evidence wasn't allowed," she said.
Even with the obstacles, the team pressed forward. Though their second day of competition yielded their lowest score, they believed it was their strongest round.
“You never know what the evaluator is thinking,” Groves said.
The team only realized they had qualified for nationals when their name flashed on the screen during the awards presentation.
“Everyone heard ‘Saginaw,’ but not the rest,” Groves said. “We didn’t know it was us until we saw it.”
When they did see it, the team of Sarah Cline (senior), Karsen Brandon (junior), Hailey Snow (senior), Bisola Olusomiro (junior), Nathan Gonzales (sophomore), Rota and Groves were in second place, and the top five advance.
Saginaw High has had a mock trial team for six years, with three straight appearances at the national level.
Peter Branca, the team's coach, credits the program’s success to the students’ commitment and a strong network of alumni who return to help current students prepare.
“We’ve built something special,” Branca said. “Former students who are now doing this in college come back to practice with our team. Sometimes those practices are harder than competitions, by design.”
He added that what impresses him most about this year’s group is their coachability and growth.
“Hailey was so quiet her sophomore year that I didn’t even know what she sounded like. Now, she gets on the stand and lights it up,” Branca said. “Stephanie has stepped into big roles. Greta had a tough season last year as an attorney, but came back and worked hard to grow into her role. They all have.”
Cline, who is attending nationals for the second time, said what makes the team special is the bond they’ve built through countless hours of practice.
“We bounce off each other so much emotionally and personality-wise,” Cline said. “When something happens in a round, we can read each other and lift each other up.”
Team members regularly practiced five hours a day and often met on weekends at school or at Starbucks to continue prepping.
“It’s not always fun,” Branca said. “It’s Saturday and the building is empty, but we’re here grinding. But they want to improve. That makes all the difference.”
The students also emphasized that their success comes not just from coaching, but from their own internal drive.
“Mr. Branca is dedicated to us because we are dedicated to this,” Rota said. “We’re not forced to stay. We choose to stay.”
Now, with nationals ahead, the team continues to prepare, ready to represent Saginaw and Texas at the highest level once again.
“It’s my favorite thing in the world,” said Snow. “I joined mock trial to get better at talking to people, and I found something I truly love."
We are #EMSproud of all the students from Saginaw High School who competed in Mock Trial at the state Texas Youth and Government competition in Austin in March, and extend special congratulations to those heading to the national competition.
