Salesianum wins 2026 Delaware High School Mock Trial competition

Students from Salesianum School won the 2026 Delaware High School Mock Trial championship after five rounds of competition held March 6–7 at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington, where more than 330 students from 26 teams across the state competed. (Photo courtesy of State of Delaware.)

Students from Salesianum School have been named the 2026 Delaware High School Mock Trial champions, marking the school’s second consecutive title after winning the competition in 2025.

The championship was decided after five rounds of competition held March 6–7 at the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center in Wilmington. More than 330 students from 26 teams representing 20 public, private and parochial schools across Delaware participated, making it the largest state-level competition since the program began in 1991.

Salesianum faced Padua Academy in the final round Saturday evening. It was Padua’s first appearance in the finals in more than 25 years. The round was presided over by U.S. District Judge Maryellen Noreika, with U.S. Rep. Sarah McBride (D-Del.) serving on the judging panel along with Veronica Finkelstein, who wrote this year’s problem, Anthony “Roddy” Flynn, chief of staff to McBride, and James Barton, general counsel to U.S. Sen. Chris Coons.

The win marks only the second time in the competition’s 35-year history that Salesianum has taken the top spot and the second time the school has advanced to the final round.

With the victory, Salesianum will represent Delaware at the National High School Mock Trial Championship scheduled for May 7–9 in Des Moines, Iowa.

“We were thrilled by both the number and diversity of the teams representing Delaware this year. We had four brand new teams, one of which was from Sussex County. It’s been really important to us that we expand who competes in mock trial in Delaware,” said Betsy Renzo, executive director of the Delaware Law Related Education Center (DELREC), which organizes the competition.

Participation grew significantly this year, with about 100 more students competing than in 2025.

“We are in awe of these students, who commit to this rigorous academic sport in their free time of their own free will. The time and effort needed to participate is laudable and the payoff is not only a better understanding of the law, but also transferable skills including public speaking, critical thinking, constructing a logical argument, and teamwork. It’s not just about winning; it’s about the growth that happens the entire time,” Renzo said.

The competition follows a round-robin format in which teams present or defend a case using a fact pattern provided by organizers. Students argue the case following courtroom procedures under the guidance of a teacher coach and an attorney coach. Teams alternate between representing the prosecution or plaintiff and the defense during different rounds.

This year’s mock trial problem involved a fictional fire at a movie theater called the “Reel Deal” in the Brandywine Town Center. Fire investigators determined the fire was accidental and caused by a popcorn machine, while an insurance investigator alleged the theater owner intentionally set the fire and charged the owner with arson.

Judges evaluate teams based on their knowledge of the law and the case, courtroom conduct and the strength of their arguments rather than determining the legal outcome of the case. Individual awards are also presented for best attorney and best witness.

Organizers said the event required extensive support from the legal community, with more than 240 volunteers serving as coaches, judges, courtroom monitors, bailiffs and administrative staff. The competition used 13 courtrooms across several floors of the Leonard L. Williams Justice Center.

“It is a heavy lift every year and we particularly want to thank the Delaware Judiciary for making the courtrooms available. It is truly a group effort and we are grateful to our volunteers, the Delaware Bar, our two law schools, court officials, court staff, security, and bailiffs for their help,” Renzo said.

Rounding out the top 10 teams were Wilmington Friends (A-team), Archmere Academy (B-team), Archmere Academy (A-team), Concord High School, Newark Charter High School (B-team), Tower Hill School, Wilmington Friends (B-team), and Ursuline Academy.

Additional awards were also presented during the competition. Tallulah Daisey of Archmere Academy won the courtroom sketch artist competition, with Elizabeth Maynard of the Charter School of Wilmington taking second place. Kaya Ergan of Newark Charter School won the top courtroom journalist award, with Maci Reno finishing second. St. Mark’s High School received the Delaware Way Award, which is voted on by student participants and recognizes the team that best exemplifies civility and fair play.

The Delaware High School Mock Trial competition is organized annually by the Delaware Law Related Education Center. Teachers, students and school administrators interested in participating can find more information through DELREC.