Mock Trial Team Advances to State Finals

Padua Academy’s Mock Trial team delivered an outstanding performance at the 2026 Delaware High School Mock Trial Competition, advancing to the championship round for the first time in more than 25 years.

After five rounds of competition held March 6–7, 2026, at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington, Padua faced off against Salesianum School in the final round. Salesianum ultimately claimed the 2026 state title and will represent Delaware at the National High School Mock Trial Championship in Des Moines, May 7–9, 2026.

Padua’s appearance in the championship round marks a significant milestone for the program and highlights the dedication, preparation, and teamwork of the student competitors.

The final round was presided over by Maryellen Noreika, U.S. District Judge for the District of Delaware. The judging panel included Sarah McBride, U.S. Representative for Delaware, along with legal professionals Veronica Finkelstein, Anthony “Roddy” Flynn, and James Barton.

Organized by the Delaware Law Related Education Center (DELREC), this year’s competition was the largest in the event’s history. More than 26 teams from 20 public, private, and parochial schools across Delaware participated, with over 330 students taking part.

Mock Trial is a rigorous academic competition that challenges students to present and defend a fictional legal case in a courtroom setting. Teams must demonstrate knowledge of the law, courtroom procedure, and case facts while developing skills in public speaking, critical thinking, logical argumentation, and teamwork.

This year’s case centered on a fictional criminal trial involving a fire at a movie theater called “The Reel Deal” in the Brandywine Town Center. Students argued whether the fire was accidental, as investigators initially concluded, or deliberately set by the theater’s owner, who faced arson charges.

In a beautiful moment before the championship round, Padua and Salesianum students gathered together to join in the Direction of Intention, a powerful reminder of faith, sportsmanship, respect in competition, and connection to our Salesian core.

While there we also saw Padua Alumnae Shauna Hagan '97 & Margie Denkins Touchton '78, taking pictures with both of them.

The competition requires a tremendous commitment from students, teachers, and members of the legal community. More than 240 volunteers—including judges, attorneys, teachers, court staff, and courtroom monitors—supported the event, with 13 courtrooms at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center dedicated to the competition.

Mock Trial Team Members: Kate Bockius '26, Kendall Brown '27, Hannah Char '27, Avery Cordrey '29, Sianna Dhillon '26, Emily Glowacki '26, Paige Godfrey '27, Brianna Kabagi '29, Hannah Kortas '27, Rachel McHugh '26, Arianna Menicucci '29, Lillyanne Menzies '26, Olivia Nunez '26, Kasey Nwokobia '26, Kathryn Orth '27, Sydney Parks '28, Olivia Piorkowski '26, Ella Robinson '28, Abigail Sauers '26, Caitlin Small '26, Evlyn Wakim '27, Natalie Wakim '29, Ava Wrzesien '26, and Emily Yanczak '29.