As December begins, Vestal’s Mock Trial team kicks off the 2026 season with preparation and excitement. Vestal has had a mock trial team for over two decades and continues to be extremely successful. Last year the team won the regional competition and advanced all the way to the final round at the State Semi-Finals where they competed against and just barely lost an extremely close trial with the team that went on to win the state championship.
From objections to judicial ruling, mock trial is the club that has it all. Whether you prefer acting or arguing with an attorney from the opposing side, this club is for everyone. It teaches the fundamentals of law, courtroom procedures, public speaking, acting, teamwork, and critical thinking. The New York State Bar Association provides schools all over NYS with a fake case each year. Each case consists of 6 affidavits, a case overview, evidence, case law references, and much more. Together, the team works to create a Defense and Prosecution—each side having 3 witnesses and 3 attorneys. The team then works to create lines of questioning and carefully crafted responses. In March, the team competes against other schools in the county, battling it out in a real court room in front of a Judge.
This year’s team is led by advisors Ronald O’Shea and Zachary Gretsky, both teachers here at Vestal High School. It is also led by team captains Seema Patel (Junior), Aviva Kaminsky (Sophomore) and myself, Alexandra Schleider (Junior).
This year’s case was released to the public on December 11th. The case—People vs. A. Carmen Erickson & Carson Blocker—is a criminal one about two people who are charged with petit larceny for stealing used cooking oil from a local restaurant “The Burn Pit”, in the made up town of Butler, NY. Vestal will spend the next four months preparing tirelessly to give the best performance possible, with the hope of getting to the State finals in May, 2026. The club is still open to new members and has room for anyone interested in Mock Trial. You don’t need an interest in pursuing law to have fun at mock trial. The team has a spot for everyone whether you like acting, writing, debating, public speaking, or just want to be a part of a team that feels like a family.
