Over the summer, Blake McCracken ‘26 decided to ignite her passion in the legal field by starting a summer Mock Trial program during her internship at the Township of Lyons. Over the course of five days, LT students were invited to gain firsthand experience in the courtroom under the guidance of professionals in the field.
“Mock Trials are part of the reason I became a lawyer, and they are a great opportunity for kids to see what it means to be a lawyer,” Clerk Elyse Hoffenberg said.
McCracken made this program a five-day club that was meant to equip kids interested in law with the skills needed to argue a “fake” trial case in front of real judges. Students received the program information via SchoolLinks and flyers at the start of June. The program ran from Aug. 11 to 15 with a total of 42 attendees.
“We’re at a place in our political climate where it is important to be informed, and one of the ways to inform people about how important democracy is is how it works in our local courthouse,” McCracken said.
This Mock Trial served as a way to exercise democracy in a life-like setting.
“These trials are invaluable because they encourage kids and introduce them to the legal system by offering them firsthand experience,” Hoffenberg said.
Mock Trials also teach kids to understand the importance of the criminal justice system.
“Getting actual feedback from a real judge was my favorite part,” program attendant Delilah Pawlowski ‘26 said.  “Getting advice from real lawyers and people involved in the political system improved my skills and confidence.”
On day one, eight panelists spoke to the students about their career positions. Students were informed about various courtroom roles and were assigned courtroom positions in preparation for the trial.
“It was amazing to hear all these professionals in real time answering questions that I had in a way a teacher or the internet can’t answer because they don’t have the same experience,” Pawlowski said.
For the next three days, students worked on their assigned cases from opening statements, cross-examination, direct questioning, witnesses, and redirect examination. Finally, on day five, the trial wrapped up, and they argued their cases. Students fulfilled each of their courtroom roles and were able to talk to the judges and lawyers afterward. Internship credit was also given to some of the students.
“The Mock trial did a great job at shaping students’ understanding of law and civic responsibility,” Hoffenberg said. “It teaches students and future lawyers about fairness and equality in the judicial system, and that is invaluable.”
After the trial, it was obvious how much of an impact the program had on each student. It even inspired Pawlowski to dive deeper into her interest and passion for law by creating her own Mock Trial Club at LT.
“The case; it’s all in your hands, and you determine how it’s going to go. It’s really exciting when you do it right,” Pawlowski said.
Her Mock Trial Club at LT will involve bringing in panels of local legal professionals, visiting the Bridgeview Courthouse to watch live court proceedings, and participating in self-run mock trials.
“Our goal is to prepare students for future careers in law,” Pawlowski said. “We’re focused on explaining legal processes, learning from experts, and growing our analytical thinking and argumentative skills.”
On top of this, as of now, McCraken and Hoffenberg have plans to expand. After talking to Principal Jenniffer Tyrrell and other administrators, Hoffenberg hopes to create a two-week program for next year. She also hopes to create a Mock Trial team at Lyons Township in the future.
“I want next year’s trial to be a broader and more robust experience for students,”  Hoffenberg said.