Springbrook’s Mock Trial team continued to dominate this year, finishing their season as the #2 team in the county.

On Thursday, February 22nd, members of the Justice, Law, & Society (JLS) at Springbrook High School visited the University of the District of Columbia David A. Clarke School of Law, a Historically Black law school in Washington, D.C. The visit surpassed conventional classroom experiences, offering students a unique opportunity to engage with a panel of professionals, including paralegals, law students, and individuals with prior incarceration experiences. They discussed topics such as reentry into society and the current state of prisons in America.

Hemien Temesgen, a second-year JLS student and mock trial witness, shared his perspective, stating, “It was enlightening to talk to people who have firsthand witnessed the injustices in the system.”

The inclusive approach of allowing students to directly interact with the panelists enabled them to gain diverse perspectives on the legal system, comprehend the challenges faced by different individuals within it, and explore potential pathways within the legal field.

Alexander Gomez-Munoz, a second-year JLS student and lawyer on the mock trial team, reflected, “It taught me a lot about racial disparities.”

The team is led by captains Carl Dexter and Yoseph Zerihun, along with Attorney Coach Ed Crooke, who is not only the father of three Springbrook students but also a phenomenal trial attorney.