Sophia Baniameri
Sophia Baniameri (she/her) is a junior from Chandler, Arizona, majoring in Economics and Business Law as an aspiring litigation attorney. When she’s not doing mock trial, you can find her working out, playing tennis or pickleball, hanging out with friends, or going to as many music festivals as she can. This year, she’s especially looking forward to team dinners and making memories with her teammates. She loves Persian food, The Shawshank Redemption, and fueling up with a sugar-free Fuel from Black Rock. Her unpopular opinion is that boba really isn’t that good, and her guilty pleasure is watching YouTube while she eats. Fun fact: she was almost in a MrBeast video! Sophie is motivated by her fear of failure, and would choose teleportation as her superpower to help her accomplish her goals.
Quote: “You miss 100% of the shots you don’t take.”
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Radha Bhaskarwar
Radha Bhaskarwar (she/her) is a junior from Peoria, Arizona, studying Political Science and Data Science, hoping to eventually become an attorney one day. Outside of SDMT, you can find her watching movies, going to the gym, traveling, or listening to true crime podcasts. This year, she’s especially excited to compete, travel, and make more memories with the team—especially considering some of her favorite moments are simply traveling home together after tournaments. She loves She’s the Man, The Kite Runner, Criminal Minds, and pretty much every kind of food. Her drink of choice is a matcha with caramel cold foam, and she’ll always have a soft spot for rom-coms. She proudly stands by pineapple on pizza and lives by the reminder, and finds motivation in knowing one day she can use what she’s learned to help others. If she could have any superpower, she’d choose mind reading—which could certainly come in handy in the courtroom.
Quote: “In the end it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years.” -Abraham Lincoln
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Vivian Boetger
Vivian Boetger (she/her) is a junior from Scottsdale studying Law and Human Behavior. She’s involved in the Criminal Justice Advocates and works for the department of the economic security as a legal assistant. Vivian hopes to pursue a career as Mergers and Acquisitions attorney or work in international law in Italy! Her favorite movie is Shutter Island and her favorite book is the Butcher’s Wife. She’s motivated by her family and her own person goals to do well for herself. She believes confidently that cats are better than dogs, and something you’d never guess about her is that she can figure skate! Her favorite mock memory was going to Vegas with her team and getting closer over dinner!
Quote: “We are what we pretend to be, so we must be careful about what we pretend to be.”
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Ian Cooper
Ian Cooper (he/him) is a junior double majoring in Social Work and Political Science. He works in group homes supporting adults living with serious mental illness and when he’s not busy working, he enjoys reading, playing guitar, and practicing judo! Ian hopes to earn an accelerated MSW before attending law school, where he can continue pursuing his passion for the rule of law and making a meaningful impact in his community. This year he’s especially excited to learn more about mock trial and know more about judicial rules. If he had to pick, he’d consider favorite movie to be The Shawshank Redemption, and he firmly believes that electric pickup trucks are among the most innovative vehicles ever made.
Quote: “Knowledge is power.” – Francis Bacon
Year in SDMT: 1st
Sydney Ferguson
Sydney Ferguson (she/they) is a junior from Las Vegas, Nevada, majoring in Communication. They work for SAILS (the disability accommodations office) and is a member of the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce! Sydney is still figuring out exactly where their career will take them but is excited to be part of SDMT’s close-knit community this semester. A Capricorn and INFJ-T, they love Shanghai braised pork belly, Everything Everywhere All at Once, and Doctor Who. Her unpopular opinion? Cheese is overrated and often gets overused. Something surprising? They’re a really good whistler and even played saxophone in middle school. They don’t drink coffee often but never turn down an iced matcha latte. Sydney’s guilty pleasure is Panic! at the Disco’s early albums, and if they could have a superpower, it would be the ability to stop time. Their favorite memory from this past year is being nervous before a competitive round and doing absolutely amazing during her cross, still saving the sticky notes from her teammates after that cross was done.
Quote: “Be yourself; everyone else is already taken.” — Oscar Wilde
Year in SDMT: 2nd
Atharva Goel
Atharva Goel (he/him) is a junior from Phoenix, Arizona, and a major in Computer Science with a minor in Buisness. When he’s not coding, Atharva works at Honeywell, plays guitar, and spends time with his family. He hopes to become an enterprise architect and is most excited this semester to compete alongside his favorite people. His favorite mock trial memory is the ORCS closing ceremonies where ASU got 2 bids to nationals! Atharva loves paneer in any form, to play saxophone and the guitar. Something you might not know about him: he is vehemently against matcha. His guilty pleasure is chips (so long as they’re not salt an vinegar) He’d pick time control as his superpower, Dr. Strange–style.
Quote: “Make your life one worth telling stories about.”
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Isheeta Gore
Isheeta Gore (she/her) is a junior from Phoenix studying Forensic Psychology with a minor in Asian Studies (Chinese). Outside of class, she loves exploring coffee shops and ranking them in her notes app! Isheeta is currently working with Barrett as a social media assistant, a legal intern at Doran Justice and a mental health advocate. She wants to become a forensic psychologist and is excited to meet all the newbies and watch the team grow! As a Leo, Isheeta’s favorite movie is Zindagi Na Milegi Doobara and she swears by dumplings and chaat. Something you wouldn’t guess? She once appeared on national television on Wheel of Fortune. Her go-to coffee shop order is a Burnt Sugar Oat Latte, though she admits she tends to start creative projects without always finishing them. If she had a superpower, she’d pick teleportation.
Quote: “I believe there are far more possibilities than happily ever after or tragedy. every story has the potential for infinite endings”
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Abbey Hicks
Abbey Hicks (she/her) is a junior from Scottsdale, Arizona studying Elementary Education. Outside of classes, Abbey works as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Her career goal is to become an elementary school teacher. This semester, she’s most excited about having fun with her friends and meeting new people. A fan of Pride and Prejudice, and How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days, Abbey also swears by chicken alfredo pasta her favorite comfort food. With the bold claim that country music is the best type of music, she adds her own flair to team conversations. Her favorite mock memory is being able to cheer for her friends! Something surprising about Abbey is that she became a lifeguard only a year after learning how to swim. Powered by iced pumpkin cream shaken espresso with oat milk and a guilty pleasure of grabbing coffee before doing anything, Abbey is motivated by being able to have a positive impact on those around her, believing that a smile goes a long way.
Quote: “People will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.”
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Ariana Hatefi
Ariana Hatefi (she/her) is a junior from Chandler, Arizona, majoring in Political Science and Philosophy. Ariana dreams of becoming either an immigration lawyer or a civil rights lawyer with the ACLU. She’s been playing piano for years, and it continues to be one of her favorite pastimes. This semester, she’s excited to meet new people, dive deeper into the trial process, and return to competing. Ariana is a big fan of Persian food (especially ghormeh sabzi) and loves rewatching her favorite movies and shows. She runs on iced French caramel lattes with extra espresso and admits to being an INFJ hopes to someday have the superpower of photographic memory. Something you might not guess about Ariana: she met an olympic athlete at the airport right before they went on the win the gold medal!
Quote: “Just because my dreams are different than yours, doesn’t mean they’re unimportant.” – Meg March
Year in SDMT: 2nd
Aanya Jain
Aanya Jain (she/her) is a junior from Peoria, AZ studying biological sciences and economics. When she’s not in class, Aanya is a member of a competitive dance team! Her interests for her career lie in medicinal law, but she wants to further research the legal field to find a specialty that fits her interests. This semester, Aanya cannot wait to meet everyone on the team and compete. Her favorite show is “Gossip Girl,” which she says is the perfect show to binge watch. As a Gemini and a Slytherin, Aanya loves to get the most out of her day, which is why she argues that early mornings are the best time of day. Her favorite food is frozen yogurt. Aanya is motivated by a fear of failure and fueled by pumpkin spiced chai lattes. Something you wouldn’t guess about Aanya is that she loves to horseback ride and has paraglided in three different countries.
Quote: “Carpe diem. Seize the day. Make your lives extraordinary!”
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Skylar Kulas
Skylar Kulas (she/her) is a junior from Chandler majoring in Philosophy (Politics, Morality & Law) with a minor in Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership. She works at a political organizing firm and plays in ASU’s concert band. Skylar plans on law school and a career in politics and is excited to get to know new members and grow her mock skills. Her favorite mock trial memory is winning a bid to ORCS last year with F-Team. A Sagittarius and INFP, she loves The Office, vegan food, and pasta. Her unpopular opinion? Dunkin’ coffee beats Starbucks. She’s secretly great at Pac-Man, orders an iced matcha latte, and would choose teleportation as her superpower.
Quote: “Progress over perfection.”
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Sam Luba
Sam Luba (he/him) is a junior from Phoenix majoring in Political Science and Justice Studies with a certificate in Political History and Leadership. Outside of SDMT, Sam is a senior reporter for The State Press, covering politics, community, and breaking news, and he works seasonally at Cactus Sports. He hopes to attend law school on the East Coast and become a civil rights/liberties attorney. He’s excited to welcome new members and, as Tournament Director, to host Sundown Showdown VII. His favorite mock trial memory is his team winning a bid to Nationals at L.A. ORCS—the second SDMT bid that day. He’ll argue that cold pizza is horrible, he’s a demon at pickleball, and his go-to is an iced dirty chai. If he had a superpower, it’d be teleportation.
Quote: “I’m a greater believer in luck, and I find the harder I work, the more I have of it.” — Thomas Jefferson
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Mounika Mandhari
Mounika Mandhari (she/her) is a junior from Peoria majoring in Data Science. When she’s not in class, you’ll catch her watching reality TV, trying to cook, or sneaking in an extra nap. Mounika hopes to pursue a career in law—she’s loving litigation but is also curious about IP or data-privacy work. This semester, she’s excited to compete (and not be a freshman). Her favorite mock trial memories are overnight stays after tournament weekends and hitting the beach on the way back from California tourneys. A fan of Sherlock and Asian food—especially sushi and ramen—she admits she hates no-show socks with a passion. Something surprising? She’s really good at catching flies with her hands. Fueled by matcha lattes with brown sugar, her guilty pleasure is scrolling TikTok. If she could pick a superpower, it would be to stay awake on command.
Quote: “A page, turning, is a wing lifted with no twin, and therefore no flight. And yet we are moved.” — Ocean Vuong
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Melissa Nowacki
Melissa Nowacki (she/her) is a junior from Chandler majoring in Business Law. Outside of SDMT, she’s active in Kappa Alpha Pi, a pre-law and government fraternity, where she serves as VP of Programming, and she works as a concierge at an assisted living facility. Melissa hopes to attend law school and eventually practice criminal law. This semester, she’s excited to meet more people and sharpen her trial skills. Her favorite mock trial memory is the car rides to and from tournaments. She’s a Pisces who loves Italian food, Legally Blonde, and The Summer I Turned Pretty. Her go-to drink is a blonde vanilla latte, her guilty pleasure is Dr. Pepper with M&Ms, and her unpopular opinion is “Books > Movies.” If she had a superpower, she’d choose invisibility.
Quote: “The best way to predict your future is to create it.” — Peter Drucker
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Naeha Ravikumar
Naeha Ravikumar (she/her) is a junior from Chandler double-majoring in Philosophy (Morality, Politics, and Law) and Spanish, with a Cross-Sector Leadership certificate. She’s part of the Next Generation Service Corps, coaches high school mock trial, and loves to sing and dance to K-pop. Naeha knows she wants to be a trial advocate in the courtroom (prosecution or defense) and is excited to learn new techniques with new teammates. Her favorite mock trial memory is making history with her F-Team by earning a bid to ORCS. She’s an Aries and ENTJ who insists mint chocolate chip does not taste like toothpaste. Her go-to is a caramel frappuccino, her guilty pleasure is Korean BBQ, and if she could teleport, her first stop would be a BTS concert.
Quote: “Even when I fall and hurt myself, I keep running towards my dream.” — BTS
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Rylie Reese
Rylie Reese (she/her) is a junior born in Kissimmee and raised in Phoenix, studying Business Law and adding Accounting with a Sports, Law, and Business certificate. She’s been training Brazilian Jiu Jitsu for three years and even competes—though she’s also scared of airplanes. Rylie plans to go into civil litigation, specifically medical malpractice. This semester, she’s excited for mini-road trips with her teammates. She loves Mamma Mia! and Pride and Prejudice, swears only Thumbs is a good Sabrina Carpenter song, and her guilty pleasure is buying concert tickets months in advance. She usually orders a Shirley Temple and would choose flight as her superpower.
Quote: “What gives light must endure burning.” — Victor Frankl
Year in SDMT: 3rd
Jenna Skavdahl
Jenna Skavdahl (she/her) is a junior from Ripon, California, studying Civic and Economic Thought and Leadership with a certificate in Cross-Sector Leadership. She serves as the Civic Engagement Mission Team Leader for the Next Generation Service Corps, works as a Devils’ Advocate Tour Guide, and grades courses on campus. Jenna hopes to become a lawyer and eventually a judge. This semester, she’s excited to meet new people and travel with the team. A Taurus who loves The Parent Trap, The Poisonwood Bible, and Friends, she swears chocolate cake is the perfect dessert. Her unpopular opinion? Disneyland isn’t that great. Something surprising—she’s been to all 50 states. Jenna runs on vanilla cold brews, has a soft spot for Reese’s peanut butter cups, and dreams of flying as her superpower.
Quote: “Life is what happens to you when you are busy making other plans.” — John Lennon
Year in SDMT: 2nd
Aris Vakanas
Aris Vakanas (he/him) is a junior from Tempe, double majoring in Political Science and Urban Planning. He dreams of one day arguing a case before the Supreme Court—and maybe even serving on it someday—a goal that fuels his dedication to mock trial. Aris is also an artist and a writer, bringing creativity into everything he does. This semester, he’s looking forward to learning more about the trial process and meeting new people on the team. A fan of AJR and Panic! at the Disco, Aris often turns to music for inspiration. He loves katsu curry, swears by chocolate milk over coffee, and admits his guilty pleasure is blasting Claire Rosinkranz’s girly pop songs. If he could pick a superpower, it would definitely be super speed.
Quote: “I am not fit for this office and never should have been here.” – Warren G. Harding
Year in SDMT: 2nd
Mateo Valdez
Ally Valletta
Ally Valletta (she/her) is a junior from Phoenix, majoring in Justice Studies and minoring in Dance. Ally hopes to go into wrongful convictions at work or family law, though she’s open to other paths. She loves surfing at Lake Pleasant and spending time outdoors, but she’s equally happy curling up with a good Italian dinner. This semester, she’s looking forward to being part of a team that feels like family. Ally is a huge fan of The Price is Right, has been doing dance for years, and can often be found sipping a chai latte with a shot of espresso. She’s motivated, a little quirky, and always full of enthusiasm. If she could have a superpower, she’d choose teleportation, because who doesn’t hate traffic?
Quote: “Until I feared I would lose it, I never loved to read. One does not love breathing.” – Harper Lee
Year in SDMT: 2nd
