Among the bustling tents of Speedway’s organization fair, Bella Guerra nearly missed her chance to find the community she didn’t know she needed. A freshman then, she hesitated, watching other students swarm booths, but she was too nervous to approach. Soon, only one remained: the Texas Mock Trial team. That moment of courage— approaching the lone stand and speaking to a member— changed her life.

“I was so scared,” Guerra said. “I didn’t attend an info session. I reached out through Instagram at the last second for the try-out packet.”

Now a sophomore and second-year member of the team, Guerra is a far cry from that nervous freshman.

Mock trial is a simulated court case using real legal processes and trial procedures in which students act as attorneys, witnesses, jurors and judges. Guerra said she was drawn to the organization because of its academic challenges and opportunities it created to meet new people. 

The Texas Mock Trial team, a powerhouse in collegiate competitions, attracts students from diverse backgrounds — from English majors like Guerra, to finance and government majors, mock trial is open to any field of study. No prior experience is required, only a willingness to learn, grow and maybe act a little.

At the beginning of the spring semester, the coach splits the group into three teams — “A,” “B” and “C” — since only six students can compete in a trial (three attorneys, three witnesses). Each team travels around the country to face other collegiate mock trial teams, with the A team featuring more seasoned competitors, while B and C teams are usually reserved for newer members.

Now on the A team, Guerra said joining the organization has allowed her to hone her public speaking skills and form meaningful connections that extend into her personal life. 

“I feel very comfortable in myself, my opinions and the way I speak to people,” she said.

For Guerra, mock trial is about more than just winning competitions– it’s about forming lasting relationships and being part of a bigger community. 

“(Mock trial) is a challenge that you get to do together,” she said. “Sharing this bond of caring about something and working towards it helped create the connections I have now.” 

Guerra said her journey has been defined by personal and team growth, shaping her into the confident, skilled competitor she is today. 

For Vibha Chemangunta, a pre-law finance junior on the B team, one of the most meaningful parts of mock trial has been watching her teammates grow. 

She recalled one of Guerra’s first times competing at a prestigious Harvard competition. Although Guerra needed some time to adjust, Chemangunta said she quickly found her footing.

“I could tell (Guerra) wasn’t fully comfortable with it,” Chemangunta said, referring to Guerra’s nerves surrounding her role as an attorney before the competition.

Guerra’s talent in mock trial became clear when she successfully completed an intense cross-examination of an expert witness during the competition — something Chemangunta said is exceptionally hard to do, especially as a freshman.

“I remember she went in and absolutely annihilated him,” Chemangunta said. “Watching younger members, like Bella, grow into the team and realize, ‘Hey, I’m really good at this,’ that’s a moment that sticks out to me.”

The team’s closeness shines outside competitions, with many finding lifelong friendships, Guerra said. 

“It doesn’t feel like we absolutely need to win a trophy or award,” Guerra said. “It’s a group surrounding you — rooting for you. It makes me feel really happy to be a part of the team.”

After a recent tournament, only one of two competing UT teams made it to nationals and the qualifying members cried alongside their non-qualifying teammates, Chemangunta said. 

“They were happy for themselves but hurt for us,” she said. “We love each other as people, not just teammates.”

Texas Mock Trial equips students for more than just legal battles or mock courtrooms– it can give them a real leg up. Chemangunta credits her legislative internship at the Texas Capitol with Sen. Carol Alvarado during the fall 2024 semester to the knowledge she gained from Texas Mock Trial.

“Anybody who wants to do anything in the legal field, being in mock trial gives you those connections and gets your foot in the door,” she said. “It trains your brain to think like a lawyer — something hard to learn just in law school.”

Skills gained in the organization can translate anywhere. Alumni work in almost every field, from Apple to top law firms, their resumes standing out as unique and polished with Texas Mock Trial’s 30-year history of success and trophies from tournaments nationwide.

“Public speaking is a skill you’ll use no matter what,” Chemangunta said. “It sets you apart in law school applications, job interviews, networking, everything.”

For this team, mock trial is more than an extracurricular — it’s a battleground. A place to prove their skills and develop new ones that extend beyond the courtroom or classroom. This is why Chemangunta said Texas Mock Trial stands out at competitions.

“Aside from the extensive hours that we put into the cases, we have this genuine way of presenting ourselves and it stands out to people,” Chemangunta said.

In 2024, the team placed third at the American Mock Trial Association’s National Championship Tournament in Chicago, and was one of 48 teams to qualify from an initial pool of about 700.

Saylor Benetti, a government freshman on the B team, was drawn to the organization after hearing about the team’s success at nationals. 

“I had no idea what mock trial was this time last year,” Benetti said. “But I was pre-law and wanted to get into everything I could.”

The team’s rigorous practice schedule is crucial to their preparation, with sessions three days a week that last for hours and are led by real trial attorneys.

“We get to work with the law a little bit and put on our own trial,” Benetti said. “We also get to play witnesses, so there’s some acting involved.”

Despite the intensity, Benetti described the team’s dynamic as a supportive, work hard, play hard environment, where no one takes themselves too seriously. 

“Before a competition, we went out into the parking lot and blasted music,” Benetti said. “We all danced together while the other teams were watching, wondering what was going on.” 

Benetti and Guerra were scared to try out for the team, but after finding some of their closest friends, they said they couldn’t imagine passing up the opportunity.

“I was so afraid of not making the team; it almost stopped me,” Guerra said. “It’s better to shoot your shot and miss than not shoot at all.”