WEST PALM BEACH – Senior Angie Lares won the Harvard University Outstanding Attorney Award during her training at Harvard this fall.
The King’s Academy’s Mock Trial team recently traveled to Harvard University to attend the Angela R. Mathew High School Seminars Program presented by the University’s Mock Trial Association.
Students learned advanced skills on how to present a case from national and All-American members of the Harvard Mock Trial Association. The team of eight participated in six lectures presented by Harvard Mock Trial students (The Opening, Direct Examination, Witness Preparation, Cross Examination, Making and Defending Against Objections, and the Closing).
King’s students got a chance to work with representatives from Harvard to prepare a case on comparative negligence. They had the opportunity to observe various demo rounds from National and All-American Mock Trial team members.
Upon the conclusion of the training sessions, students got to compete in a scrimmage round where Lares won the highest recognition of the round, the Outstanding Attorney Award.
After only being in existence for two years Lares made history for King’s Academy with her win. The Mock Trial team is part of the newly named O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies Program in recognition of a $1 million donation to endow its Pre-law program.
King’s Academy piloted its Christian pre-law studies in 2016 and launched a full slate of classes in the 2017-18 school year.
Lares’s milestone wouldn’t go unnoticed as Denise C. Brown, O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies Program Director, would speak on the accomplishment and the benefits it will bring to the program.
“This was a high-level academic experience,” Brown said. “Our students were challenged to reason through complex case problems, think on their feet, and work as a team. The training we received from the Harvard Mock Trial Association will benefit our team as we prepare for competition at the Fifteenth Judicial Circuit in February.”
The O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies Program has a bright future as it prepares the youth to creatively engage students in rigorous academic dialogue to develop critical thinking and communication skills.
A total of 130 students are currently enrolled in the O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies Program. Coursework includes Introduction to Law, Criminal Law, Constitutional Law, Business Law and Ethics, and Legal Advocacy Skills.
In May, TKA will graduate its first group of seniors who have earned a pre-law designation on their diplomas.
For more information about The King’s Academy and scholarship opportunities provided through the O’Keeffe Pre-Law Studies Program, contact Mrs. Amy Cuomo, Admissions Director, at 561-686-4244.
Press release courtesy of Shelby Kimpel, Director of Marketing at King’s Academy.
