On December 12th, 2025, two South Windsor Mock Trial teams traveled to New Britain to compete in the regional tournament. Competing against a total of 4 teams, the SWHS Red and White teams finished with 4 wins and a token of advancement to the semi finals, setting a historic record for the Bobcats.
Students prepared diligently for their respective trial days, working hard to study every facet of the case at hand. The case this year was an alleged murder case under the name of ‘Connecticut v. Nic/Niki Vansteenburg.’ With the case handling many complicated issues such as the nuances of an OD and potential errors in witness testimonies, attorneys and witnesses alike were dedicated to understanding the case fully.
“I will be the first to say that the students who compete in Mock Trial do the absolute bulk of the work to prepare. Students work for months at a time to prepare their legal theory, craft a narrative and then arrange evidence and testimony as support.” SWHS Mock Trail club advisor and Coach, Mr. Dalton Hawie, shares thoughts on the results.
Hawie’s main role for the mock trial teams is as a facilitator/ guide, he helps highlight key legal questions for the students, as well as review their presentations and speeches, among many other things.
“I also connect students to other resources in our community such as parents with expertise in the legal field,” Hawie commented in an interview with The Prowl.
Jitters filled all participants as they rode the bus to the competition, and they continued to rehearse themselves while waiting for their respective trials to begin. Each team had a morning and afternoon trial, and collaborated with one another during bridging periods.
Playing defendant Niki Vansteenburg, witness Mia Santiago shares her experiences at the trial.
“Preparing for the trial was quite a laborious endeavor, and the moments leading up to actually being on the stand were filled with anxiety,” she told The Prowl.
With both teams performing flawlessly, whether that be phenomenal opening and closing, magnetizing witness performances, or powerful attorney objections, Red and White team students earned their respective wins, and brought pride to the overall SWHS Mock Trial club.
