The interest brochure for the Harvard Mock Trial High School Seminar Program promises participants will “Unlock Your Inner Mock” with a variety of educational experiences in the two-day program.

In November, 29 students from the Legal Studies Academy (LSA) at First Colonial High School did just that during the weekend seminar held at Harvard University in Boston.

“Our LSA students were full of trepidation at the beginning of this adventure; however, they collectively worked together and gained an immense amount of knowledge regarding mock trials,” said LSA coordinator Angelique Phillips.

LSA students attended six interactive lecture sessions that covered strategies in the following areas: the opening, the direct examination, the cross examination, witnesses and objections. In addition to the educational series, students applied lessons learned in breakout sessions with members of the nationally-ranked Harvard Mock Trial team to develop their own cases and prepare for a college-level scrimmage. After participating in the scrimmage students received feedback from a Harvard Mock Trial member.

“They were transformed,” said Phillips of the students’ experience. “They learned how to effectively prepare for mock trials as well as how to deviate from that plan and think on their feet when needed. They left with a new found tool box and, more importantly, a sense of accomplishment and confidence.”

More information about the program is available on the Harvard Mock Trial website.