Central Carolina Homeschoolers capture the championship as Empire celebrates its first Atlanta program since 2019.
Atlanta (GA): For the first time since 2019, Empire Mock Trial returned to Georgia, bringing 408 students from 36 high school mock trial teams to Atlanta for the Southern Showdown. Representing 16 states, the District of Columbia, and South Korea, students gathered for Empire’s sixth Atlanta program during its milestone 20th season.
The Georgia World Congress Center hosted four preliminary trials, with students arguing both sides of a kidnapping case before panels of volunteer judges and jurors. The top two teams then advanced to a Championship Round at the Supreme Court of Georgia.
Five Georgia schools represented the state: Decatur High School, Greenbrier High School, Gwinnett School of Mathematics, Science, and Technology, Jonesboro High School, and Wesleyan School.
“Returning to Atlanta felt really special,” said Emily Shapiro, Empire’s Director of Operations. “We were thrilled to bring students together in Georgia again and reconnect with a legal community that has given so much to this program. Seeing familiar faces alongside schools experiencing Empire for the first time made this return especially meaningful.”
Ceremonies Celebrate Learning and Legacy
Opening and Closing Ceremonies at the Georgia World Congress Center bookended the program, connecting the weekend’s competition to lessons in citizenship and two decades of Empire history.
At the Opening Ceremony, students heard from seasoned criminal lawyer Donald F. Samuel, who discussed the Fourth Amendment and its origins. His remarks provided context for the constitutional questions students would confront throughout the weekend, as each team prepared to argue a pre-trial issue involving the Fourth Amendment.
The Closing Ceremony celebrated every students work. With recognition for the competition’s top teams, attorneys, and witnesses. Empire also presented its first Empire Builder honor to co-founder Gregory P. Matarrese, recognizing his foundational contributions to the organization as it celebrated its 20th season.
“This organization wouldn’t be where it is today without my father’s contributions from day,” said Justin Matarrese, Empire’s co-founder and current Board Chair.
“The Empire Family owes everything to him.”
Explore the results: Top 10 Teams | Individual Award Recipients
A Championship on Georgia’s Highest Stage
The Championship Round brought Central Carolina Homeschoolers of North Carolina and Watertown Meyer High School of Minnesota to the Supreme Court of Georgia. Judge Carla W. McMillian presided over the trial, with 15 scoring jurors evaluating the finalists.
At the conclusion of the round, Central Carolina Homeschoolers emerged as the 2026 Empire Atlanta Champion.
For team captain Braedon Kerbo who was part of the team last year when they finished runners up, the title reflected more than courtroom success.
“I really enjoyed leading a team filled with new people to a championship title. This competition taught me so much about leadership skills, what it takes to build a team, and to create an environment where the team can grow together and compete in excellence.”
Among those new competitors was sophomore Rachel Bainbridge. Although she had spent years watching her older siblings compete, Atlanta marked her first mock trial competition as a participant.
“I’ve been watching mock trial for over 10 years and I thought that was surely enough to have the full experience, but nothing can compare to actually being part of the team. Empire made it such a fun and interactive weekend especially with the staged room!”
Bainbridge also credited her coaches for preparing the team in a short time and her teammates for their encouragement throughout her first competition.
Georgia Students Shine
The host state’s students earned recognition both as teams and as individual advocates and performers.
Greenbrier High School finished among the top 10 teams, and two Georgia teams placed in the top 12 overall. Five Georgia students also earned Outstanding Individual Awards, recognizing the competition’s top attorneys and witnesses.
Their accomplishments highlighted a strong showing by the five Georgia schools that helped welcome Empire back to Atlanta.
A Community Effort
The Southern Showdown was made possible by 146 members of the legal community who volunteered as judges and jurors. Their support ensured that every preliminary trial had three evaluators, giving each team a record based on 12 ballots across its four trials.
Behind the scenes, more than 20 volunteer “Blue Shirts” helped staff the competition and support students, coaches, and evaluators throughout the program.
Empire extends special thanks to Rich Harris, Coordinator of the Georgia High School Mock Trial Competition, for his help recruiting volunteers.
The organization is also grateful to its Empire Atlanta Advisory Board, including Katy Powers, Assistant Dean of Advocacy at Mercer Law, for her support; Chief Judge Emeritus John Carbo of Clayton County State Court; and Judge Danielle Roberts of Henry County Court.
At the Georgia World Congress Center, Angelica Childs helped bring the program back to Georgia, while her colleague Heather Kulla helped bring the plans to life.
Empire also thanks its partners at Embassy Suites at Centennial Park: General Manager David Lim, whose extraordinary professionalism and unrivaled customer service helped make the return a success, and longtime sales director Michele Sidler, who worked to bring Empire back to Atlanta.
About Empire Mock Trial and How You Can Help
Founded in 2007, Empire Mock Trial is a nonprofit dedicated to educating, connecting, and empowering high school students to be more compassionate and capable citizens. Through mock trial, students practice respectful advocacy, build meaningful connections, and develop skills that extend well beyond the courtroom.
As Empire celebrates its 20th season, the Southern Showdown brought that mission to life once again. Your support helps make these experiences possible, providing scholarships and covering the costs of bringing students together to learn, connect, and grow.
Empire hopes to return to Atlanta next year. Help us give more students their day in court: make a gift to support Empire’s students.
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Media Contact
Oscar Samios
Oscar@empiremocktrial.org
917-426-3682