On Saturday, November 8, Frederick County Public Schools (FCPS) held their annual Civics and Law Academy at Frederick High School from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The academy is available to students in 8th -12th grade who are interested in the practice of law and legal fields.
The academy offers classes for participants throughout the day that focus on the study of law. Some topics this year’s classes discussed included closing arguments, opening statements, cross examination and the timeline of a trial.
Registration for the program also allowed participants to choose which classes to take throughout the day. Many of the classes were hosted and taught by practicing or retired lawyers.
This event is also a good opportunity to get internships in various jobs within the legal field.
Samuela Nyando, a senior at Linganore High School (LHS), said, “This [attending the academy] is how I got my internship at The Frederick State Attorney’s Office at the courthouse; I highly recommend [it].”
Students who participate in Mock Trial also have the ability to attend special classes that can help with their performance at competitions. Students who previously attended these classes have stated that the courses helped them with their roles in Mock Trial, as the topic of law is perpetuated through both programs.
After attending the Civics and Law Academy, Hannah Hettinger a senior at LHS, and one of the team leaders for Linganore’s Mock Trial team, said, “I feel a lot more capable of starting things like writing my closing arguments and analyzing the case for the season,” after attending.
LHS social studies teacher and Mock Trial coach Jamie Hendi said, “I think it’s really great because they [the Civics and Law Academy] have a Mock Trial track … they have very specific sessions for mock trial to learn about direct and cross examination.”
The program itself is completely free to all FCPS students and only requires registration to attend. The academy provides lunch for all participants, although students are able to bring their own lunch as well.
The academy offered not only a good way to learn about law from people in the industry but also a way to socialize with students from other schools with similar interests.
“There were lots of students there from all over the county,” Hettinger said. ”It was really great to meet all those people that shared an interest in law.”
The academy provides an easily accessible opportunity for students to be better exposed to fields of work that they are interested in, and learn skills relating to law from professionals.
According to Hendi, “There is like, lawyers and judges… I just think it is really good to expose students to all of those different types of professions that they can do.”
