Rainbow Schools garner gold and silver at the 2026 Mock Trial Competition

Teams from Rainbow Schools garnered gold and silver at this year’s Mock Trial Competition held on June 8, 2026 at the Sudbury Courthouse. Grade 12 law students from Rainbow District School Board and Near North District School Board donned legal gowns to prosecute and defend an individual charged with “theft” contrary to s. 322(1) of the Criminal Code of Canada.

Some 70 students from Confederation Secondary School, Lasalle Secondary School, Lockerby Composite School, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School, Sudbury Secondary School and Chippewa Secondary School competed for the Hennessy Cup – named after Madame Justice Patricia C. Hennessy, a driving force for the Mock Trial Competition since its inception in 2001.

The Hennessy Cup was awarded to Lasalle Secondary School Team #2 students Jordin Morris, Sydney Gallant, Tyson Wensley, Hailey Dechaine, Miles Dinan, Tehya Montgomery, Mackenzie Gideon and Elana Salvati.

Silver medals were presented to Sudbury Secondary School Team #1 students Rou Provost, Alessandro Gregorini, Madalynn Rideout, Sky Delorme, Vella Miller, OJ Ikobayo and Mia Vasquez Rodriguez.

“Year after year, we see an impressive group of students who have worked hard to prepare for the Mock Trial Competition. Students acquire and develop portable skills through their preparation regardless of their ultimate career path,” said Regional Senior Justice Karen Lische of the Ontario Court of Justice. “The process allows students a glimpse into the law as a profession and to get a sense as to what it might feel like to be involved in the criminal justice system as a witness. Through this process, students have the opportunity to better appreciate the presumption of innocence.”

The Hennessy Cup is part of the OJEN/OBA Competitive Mock Trials – a provincial program of the Ontario Bar Association and the Ontario Justice Education Network. The OBA and OJEN support competitions like the Hennessy Cup throughout the province. Teams competing in Sudbury use the same case and format as other teams throughout Ontario.

The competition was made possible with support from the Ontario Justice Education Network, Sudbury and District Law Association and local judges. This year, the presiding Judges were Ontario Superior Court Regional Senior Justice Patrick Boucher, Ontario Court Justice Graham Jenner, Ontario Court Justice Julie Lefebvre, Justice of the Peace Erin Olesen-Schinke, and Deputy Small Claims Court Judge Lisa Barazzutti.

Leading up to the event, 13 lawyers from the Greater Sudbury area, as well as two lawyers from North Bay, volunteered their time to assist and coach students as they prepared their cases. The local office of the Ministry of the Attorney General is a strong supporter and accommodates the competition in the courthouse with both facilities and staff. Students from Cambrian College and Laurentian University also volunteered during the competition to ensure that the day’s proceedings ran smoothly. To the extent possible, the students enjoyed an authentic learning experience presenting their cases in actual courtrooms assisted by experienced court staff and volunteers.

Students participated in trials throughout the day with the top two performing teams participating in the championship trial. In addition to the Hennessy Cup, a number of other awards were presented. Students on each team determined the recipient of the team’s “Most Valuable Player” who exemplified leadership excellence.

“The mock trial judges strive to provide individualized feedback to each student to enhance their overall experience,” said Justice Erin Cullin of the Ontario Superior Court of Justice. “There is an award for Team Civility highlighting the importance of professional conduct, even in an adversarial system. Awards were also given for technical excellence, including Best Witness, Best Advocate Crown and Best Advocate Defence. The committee that adjudicated the awards had a very difficult task because there were so many excellent candidates. The effort put forth by the students, the teachers and the lawyer coaches was apparent throughout the competition.”

Rainbow District School Board Chair David Farrow extends sincere thanks to the many volunteer coaches from the Sudbury Crown Attorney’s Office and the Sudbury and District Law Association who have and continue to provide countless hours of their time to this project. “The Mock Trial Competition is an outstanding example of how community partnerships enrich student learning,” he said. “As a result, many students are inspired to pursue studies in the legal field after secondary school.”

“We commend the legal community for their continued contribution. They are exceptional role models for community service and student success,” said Chief Executive Officer Bruce Bourget. “We also applaud the Ontario Justice Education Network and the Ontario Bar Association for supporting an initiative that enhances the student learning experience inside and outside of the classroom.”

The Mock Trial Competition is well established within the Grade 12 Law curriculum. In addition to meeting curriculum expectations, mock trials develop other skills in students, including public speaking, teamwork, presentation, preparation and critical thinking skills.

SUDBURY REGIONAL MOCK TRIAL AWARDS

HENNESSY CUP AND GOLD MEDAL RECIPIENTS 

Lasalle Secondary School Team #2
Jordin Morris
Sydney Gallant
Tyson Wensley
Hailey Dechaine
Tehya Montgomery
Mackenzie Gideon
Elana Salvati

SILVER MEDAL RECIPIENTS

Sudbury Secondary School Team #1
Rou Provost
Alessandro Gregorini
Madalynn Rideout
Sky Delorme
Vella Miller
OJ Ikobayo
Mia Vasquez Rodriguez

INDIVIDUAL AWARDS

Lacroix Lawyers Best Advocate Crown Award
Jack Page, Lo-Ellen Park Secondary School

Weaver Simmons LLP Best Advocate Defence Award
Jaidyn Embrack, Chippewa Secondary School

Miller Maki LLP Best Witness Award
Kalvin Gagnon, Confederation Secondary School

Edward J. Conroy Q.C. Team Civility Award
Lockerby Composite School

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Media Contact:

Dr. Tiffany Roberts, Curriculum Coordinator,
Rainbow District School Board, 705-523-3308, ext. 8209.