(L to R) A.P. Jordana Bell; Truman Junior Lauren Enoch; Law Team Instructor Marc Zanoni
BRONX, NY – It’s an honor fit for just one in a million – or perhaps just eight in a million. That’s because only eight of the nearly one-million students in the New York City Department of Education have been selected to represent the city in the International Moot Court Competition. Now, Truman High School junior Lauren Enoch has learned that she is one of those eight in the city who will take her lawyering skills international.
Lauren Enoch was selected to be one of 8 students representing New York City in the International Moot Court Competition
“She wowed both Mr. Zanoni and I immediately,” said Assistant Principal Jordana Bell. “I did not get an opportunity to know Lauren before the world shut down in March 2020, but I learned quickly at the beginning of this year how powerful she is.”
Normally, students who are part of Truman’s specialized Law Academy vie for the coveted seats, but the local moot court competition is open to all students, regardless of whether they are in the Law classes. After hearing the opportunity on the daily announcements, Lauren says she just jumped into the program for something interesting to add to her resume.
“I just heard ‘court’ – I was like – I need an extra-curricular for my college resume,” Enoch said. “I went to the meeting and it turns out I loved it!”
Law instructor Marc Zanoni said that he saw something special in Lauren the moment she walked in the door. Based on her performance in the local competition, Zanoni said it was clear that she should represent the school for the international competition.
“She was immediately good at this,” Zanoni said. “She was immediately a star.” The school is tasked with nominating just one student to try out for the New York City Team. The New York program is coordinated by Debra Lesser, the Executive Director of the Justice Resource Center.
Enoch recalled getting the email securing her spot on the team during her biology class. She immediately left class to find Ms. Bell and Mr. Zanoni to share the incredible news.
“He (Zanoni) walked into (Bell’s) office first, and I walked in behind him like ‘Ms. Bell, we got in!’” She exclaimed. Lauren explained that it was “we” and not “I” because of the team effort of Ms. Bell, Mr. Zanoni, and even her other teachers like Christy Jean, who offered Lauren an extension on a term paper while she prepared for the competition. “I was over the moon, all of last week! I really did that!” Enoch said, clearly beaming with pride.
Lillian Barreto (Class of 2014), the first Truman student to compete at The Hague
Truman students are no stranger to this competition. When Ms. Bell first became the Assistant Principal of social studies, law, culinary and music, Lillian Barreto, graduating class of 2014, was the first student who made the International Moot Court Team under her tutelage. Lillian travelled with Debra Lesser and her teammates to The Hague, competing against over sixteen countries from around the world. Lillian is graduating from the CUNY School of Law on May 13, 2022 and will start her work with the Queens Public Defenders in September.
“Thank you for always pushing me,” Barreto told A.P. Bell in a December text message. “I love you for that.”
Enoch and her seven NYC teammates will now work with a Manhattan-based law firm to prepare for the competition with other countries from around the world. The event normally takes place overseas in venues like the International Criminal Court in The Hague. However, due to COVID-19, the event will be held virtually.
