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Students Gather in Raleigh to Celebrate 68th Annual Law Day

North Carolina elementary, middle and high school students gathered in downtown Raleigh for the 68th anniversary of Law Day, a day of competition and celebration on the first Friday of May through a formal proclamation by the state’s governor.

Numerous competitions encouraged students to critically think and reflect on the rule of law in correspondence with the 2026 theme, “The Rule of Law and the American Dream.” The Moot Court Competition and McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge occurred live day-of, while the Poster and Essay Contests accepted at-home submissions and winners were informed ahead of time. These events are made possible by the North Carolina Bar Foundation (NCBF) Endowment in collaboration with the North Carolina Bar Association (NCBA) and its Young Lawyers Division (YLD).

The day began with the two winning teams of the Regional Moot Court Competition participating in the finals at the North Carolina Court of Appeals — Adhav Kumar and Reese Stephens of Research Triangle High School and Juliet Smarz and Jack McCarter of Charlotte Catholic High School.

This year’s Moot Court involved the legal concept of free speech, and competitors prepared to argue either side. Chief Judge Chris Dillon and Judge John Arrowood presided.

Pictured from left to right: students Stephens, Kumar, McCarter and Smarz, with Judges Chris Dillon and John Arrowood.

“It’s always important to develop good oral advocacy skills because you need them for the rest of your life,” said Jack McCarter. “Moot Court is an effective way to achieve this. Plus, I had a great time doing it.”

Stephens and Kumar listen to McCarter argue at the stand.

Next at the Court of Appeals, the North Carolina Bar Foundation hosted the McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge.

“This challenge will light a fire in young people to demonstrate how, through good citizenship, civic engagement and dynamic leadership, they can carry the torch forward and challenge themselves and others to discover new solutions to the problems their communities face,” said former Congressman Mike McIntyre.

Student participants Vaishnavi Tummalapalli of Apex High School, Saanvi Ailani and Atharva Sekharan of Green Level High School and Avalina Frankenstein of Hilburn Academy presented speeches to Chief Judge Chris Dillon, Judge Donna Stroud and Judge April Wood.

Pictured from left to right: Oldfield, Sekharan, Ailani, McIntyre, Tummalapalli, Frankenstein and Mink, with Judges Donna Stroud, Chris Dillon and April Wood.

“I loved how connected and welcoming the Law Day community was,” said Vaishnavi Tummalapalli. “Being able to speak to so many different people from different backgrounds — from the people who were finalists with me to the influential professionals who make real-world changes every day. We’re all passionate about different issues. It’s so important that we stay informed and hear everyone out, and it’s pretty cool to see how we correlate.”

Tummalapalli asks McIntyre questions following the Leadership Challenge.

The day ended at Jiddi Space and Courtyard for a celebration over a Gravy Italian-American Kitchen lunch and music from Enloe Magnet High School’s String Quartet. Winners of the Moot Court Competition, McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge, Essay and Poster Contests and Liberty Bell Award were recognized with family and friends in attendance.

Pictured: awards, Law Day proclamation and finalists’ posters.

The reception featured a welcome from YLD Chair Sheila Spence, a reading of the Law Day proclamation from NCBA and NCBF President Rob Harrington, as well as presentations and remarks from NCBA Law Week and Liberty Bell Committee Co-Chairs Sidney Thomas and Nicholas Sorensen, Mike McIntyre, NCBF McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge Co-Chairs Ashley Oldfield and Sarah Mink and NCBA Moot Court Competition member Heather Tabor.

Additionally, attorney Susan Ellinger received the Liberty Bell Award from attorney Heather McDowell for her lifelong service to the law in North Carolina.

Ellinger gives winner remarks.

Law Day results are as follows:

McIntyre Youth Leadership Challenge (Grades 6-12):

  • 1st Place — Vaishnavi Tummalapalli
  • 2nd Place — Avalina Frankenstein
  • Finalist — Saanvi Ailani
  • Finalist — Atharva Sekharan

Essay Contest (Grades 6-12):

  • Co-1st Place — Jet Navejar of Wilmington Academy of Arts and Science
  • Co-1st Place — Robbie Whiteside of Waterview Learning Academy
  • 3rd Place — Mika Fain of Wilmington Academy of Arts and Sciences

Poster Contest (Grades K-5):

  • 1st Place — Owen Esformes of Hunter Elementary School
  • 2nd Place — Mae Rittershaus of Hunter Elementary School
  • 3rd Place — Casey R. Kurtz of Hunter Elementary School

Moot Court Competition (Grades 9-12):

  • 1st Place — Adhav Kumar and Reese Stephens
  • 2nd Place — Juliet Smarz and Jack McCarter

Navejar and Esformes reflected positively on their experience participating in the 2026 Law Day and encouraged other students to get involved in future years.

“I enjoyed learning about the rule of law and the effects of the American Dream,” said Jet Navejar. “As long as you’re really passionate about participating, your voice will count.”

Pictured from left to right: Sorensen, Navejar and Whiteside.

“It’s not hard to participate, and it’s fun because you get familiarized with what’s going on in your community,” said Owen Esformes.

Esformes (left) is pictured with Sorensen (right), who holds his award-winning poster.

To learn more about Law Day and its events, visit the Young Lawyers Division Law Week webpage. See more Law Day photos in our Facebook album.