Nottingham High School Wins Region II Mock Trial Competition

Nottingham High School Wins Region II Mock Trial Competition

5.18.2022

By Jennifer Andrus

Nottingham High School in Syracuse has advanced to the semifinal round of the New York State Bar Association’s Mock Trial competition, which will be held May 23.

The Nottingham Bulldogs beat the New Hartford Spartans last month to become the Regional II finalist.  Judges score teams on several factors including professionalism in their presentation of a hypothetical case.

The students prepare to try the case for both the prosecution and the defense. Team members take on roles as attorneys, witnesses, researchers, and writers.

Don Little has coached the Nottingham team since 1995. “The single greatest thing contributing to their success this year has been the level of thoughtfulness in their presentation. With the aid of our legal advisers, Ms. Conan and Mr. Luban, the questions students are asking is at a much higher and deeper level. “

Kyle Giardine says the team has great chemistry. “We’ve been able to build on our relationships and be more polished. That has allowed us to get to the States. “

Little admits becoming emotional when Nottingham beat perennial powerhouse team FM (Fayetteville-Manlius) in an earlier round. He says the school community is rallying behind his team. “This is a huge, huge deal in Syracuse.”

NYSBA produced team video

Eight regional teams are competing in the May 23^rd semifinals, and the top two teams will face off in the final on May 24. The other regional champions are City Honors School, Buffalo, High School of American Studies at Lehman College, Bronx, Albany Academy for Girls, Ossining High School, Huntington High School, Massapequa High School, and Hunter College High School, Manhattan.  

The NYSBA Mock Trial program celebrates its 40^th this year. There are 400 teams involving 4,000 high school students in the competition.

The program is sponsored by the New York State Bar Association’s Law, Youth and Citizenship Committee. The New York Bar Foundation provides some of the funding.