Monroe County Mock Trial Team Beats Erie County Juggernaut To Take Region I Title
5.12.2026
For the first time in more than a decade, a team from Monroe County is on its way to the state tournament representing Region I, or Western New York, in the New York State Bar Association’s Mock Trail tournament. Pittsford Mendon High School beat last year’s Region I champ Nichols to secure the 2026 title.
The team had only three days to prepare in between its county competition and the regional tournament against several powerhouse teams in Erie County.
“Last year, we won counties, but we weren’t able to go to regionals, so just winning counties alone was, like, super impressive for our team, and then this year, it’s just, like really astounding to go from counties and then also regionals in the same week, too, because that was just such a short span,” said Rain Royce.
What’s more important to this team than the titles or the trophy is the camaraderie.
“This is such an amazing opportunity, because you get to collaborate with so many different people. Even if we’re not going to go into the field of law, this club provides so many thrilling life experiences that I think are just so useful,” said senior Nivethiksha Mangalasubaskaran.
The team is coached by government teacher Kyle Rumley and Pittsford native and local attorney Jacob Ark. In addition to giving back to the community, Ark finds the coaching is a benefit to his practice.
“Coaching mock trial helps keep my skills sharp. It helps me be more approachable to my clients, especially now that I’ve been in private practice the last four years,” Ark said. “The way I see it, it’s a great professional sharpening tool, as well as great outreach for showing what the profession really is.”
The NYSBA Mock Trial program celebrates its 44th year of competition 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.
