On March 20, Newton South’s Mock Trial team won the Massachusetts Bar Association’s 2026 High School Mock Trial Program, defeating Dover-Sherborn in the final round at Faneuil Hall to take home the state championship. This is Newton South’s second Mock Trial state championship, following its first win in 2008.
South’s victory was a welcome improvement from last year’s season, when the team failed to make it out of the preliminary round. Team member Seyoon Byun said that this year’s success was partly due to support from coaches.
“I’m really grateful for all the coaches that we have in our team. Last year we only had two, and this year we have more guidance,” she said. “They were really nice to have in our classroom, and I think that also helped us a lot in terms of getting feedback on our performances.”
Along with the title of state champion, the team also received a $5,000 grant from the Massachusetts Bar Foundation, which will partially fund the team’s trip to Des Moines for the National High School Mock Trial Championship during May 7-9.
Team member Anastasia Karpova said that the national championship is a chance to improve as a competitor, as well as to make connections with people from across the country.
“I’m really excited to have the opportunity to go to Nationals … When you’re at the national level, you have the opportunity to go against teams that are very, very good and meet new people that you’ve never competed against before, because they’re from other states,” she said. “[It’s a ] very good opportunity to expand your horizons.”
This year’s Mock Trial Program involved 121 Massachusetts schools competing in simulated courtroom situations, in 42 courthouses across the state, where they assumed the roles of lawyers, defendants and witnesses in hypothetical cases.
As reported by the Mass. Bar Association, in the finals the teams focused on a criminal case – Commonwealth v. Raysau – in which Raysau was charged with first-degree murder. The case involved the defendant’s knowledge of the decedent’s almond allergy and heart disease, and the administration of epinephrine, “which had the purpose and effect of causing cardiac arrest and subsequent death.” In the finals, Newton South played the role of the prosecutor, and Dover-Sherborn played the role of the defense.
Mass. Bar Association President Michael H. Hayden said, “What we saw today was a brilliant performance by both teams, and all of the high school students involved should be exceptionally proud of their efforts. As a trial lawyer, I was truly impressed by the professional approach and courtroom advocacy skills demonstrated by students from both schools. I offer my enthusiastic congratulations to Newton South and wish them luck at Nationals in Iowa this May.”
Congratulations to:
- Team members: Jamie Brandt, Owen Butler, Seyoon Byun, Clare Cho, Isa Folch, Henry Fu, Molly Hadlow, Ariel Hollander, Anastasia Karpova, Amalie Martin, Mara Negroiu, Sofia Telio, Mariella Weiss, Bomi Woo, Theo Younkin, and Emily Zisow
- Attorney coaches: Stephen Carley, Esq., Hans Hysenaj, Esq., Joel Metcalf, Esq., and Matt Zisow, Esq.
- Faculty advisor: Dr. Gojeb Frehywot
James Garrett is Fig City News student reporter and a junior at Newton South High School, where he is a centerfold writer for the Lion’s Roar student newspaper.
