Mock Trial Team wins over Albany Academy

The Albany High School Mock Trial Team kicked off this year's tournament with a resounding win over Albany Academy on Wednesday evening.

Our Falcons played the prosecution at last night's competition.

In Mock Trial, teams of high school students are assigned to either the prosecution/plaintiff or defense side of a case. The trials take place in a courtroom and participants are bound by the same rules as professional attorneys.

This year's case is People v. A. Carmen Erickson & Carson Blocker and centers on a charge of petit larceny and resisting arrest. Cases typically alternate each year between a civil and criminal case, and there are more than 300 teams competing in the 2026 New York State Mock Trial Tournament. 

Members of this year's Albany High team include:

Danielle Abdul-Korah • Katerine Barros • Jolie Benjamin • Brendan Bergin • Cleana Brummell • Lucy Rathke-Cook • Grace Corlette • Hailey Farrell • Jehan El-Bahtity-Galban • Razi Gomez Fisher • Hannah Hubbell • Abigail Hulett • Jillian Katz • Sarah Kirk • Tilly Lamont • Zeta Mergner • Advah Randall • Eliza Schlesinger • Ava Shahinfar • Sienna Stewart • Norah Sweet • Hillary Anne Tejero • Anna Ustin • Harriet Westin • Sidney Yoxthimer • Vanshika Zaveri • Zoe Zylberman-Reid

Our students receive incredible mentorship from our two long-time attorney coaches, Carolyn George and Judge Josh Farrell, along with the support of club advisor Leah Powhida.

We commend our Falcons for a strong start and wish them the best as they continue to compete in the 2026 New York State Mock Trial Tournament!