Sparking Interest In the Law During the Summer

For the past three years at IS 126Q, 8th grade students in social studies are introduced and
recruited for the Legal Outreach program with an introductory mock trial. The trial begins with:
“All please rise as the court is in session.” The students giggle and stand, then they are given a stranded-at-sea court case. Through this case, students are given the opportunity to debate and
defend their options against their peers and convey their point to the judge.

I sat down with Mr. Kokoronis, 8th grade Social Studies Teacher, and learned Legal Outreach is
an engaging and supportive summer program which focuses on advancing student’s personal
and professional skills such as public speaking, debating, and creative writing preparing them for high school. As well as laying a foundation for these students, providing them with early career experience and exposure as they work with attorneys and judges, they attend sessions at CUNY School of Law and conduct mock trials.

For Mr. Kokoronis, Legal Outreach is a valuable opportunity for IS 126Q students. As a result,
he is willing to support students who apply to the program, helping to writing letters of
recommendations and offering his classroom for the introductory mock trial for the program.
Legal Outreach motivates students to focus on their future and careers, paving a pathway for
them to follow towards a successful career.