I object! Plenty of students that go to Miami High object to trying out the legal magnet program our high school offers without knowing what it’s all about.

Law magnet students have a chance to attend field trips to jailhouses and courthouses. The legal magnet program is a fun and engaging opportunity that students interested in law and public affairs can take advantage of while they are in Miami Senior High.

Students at Miami High apply for the law magnet program for different purposes. “I want to be a lawyer when I get older,” said sophomore Gary Rodriguez. “I want to get a head start before going to law school.”

“I joined to know how to handle situations when I become an adult in America,” said junior Justin Flores.

On the other hand, junior Isaias Sierra is in the legal magnet because it was the only way he could go to Miami High since it isn’t his neighborhood school.

Being part of the Legal and Public Affairs magnet program can help students in their future careers by teaching them more about professions like being attorneys, judges, police officers and anything relating to the field of law.

Constitutional Law teacher Ms. Suarez said, “Even students not interested in these professions will benefit from acquiring skills in research, critical thinking, and public speaking.”

Junior Isaias Sierra said, “Being in the law magnet is helpful because it shows how I have experience when it comes to anything that deals with the government or politics.”

There is an application process in order to get into the law magnet program. The application is located on the Miami Senior High website (www.miamiseniorhigh.org). There are currently 300 students in the legal magnet, and they must maintain a 2.5-grade point average and not have more than 10 absences in a school year to stay in.

Freshmen in the program are required to take two classes: Legal Aspects of Business and Comprehensive Law, which in turn take away two electives. Sophomores take Ethics one semester and Psychology the other. Juniors take Constitutional Law, and seniors can choose between Internship, SLS/College Prep, or any Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment class the school offers.

Teachers and students like different things about the program. “I like the learning opportunity and environment,” said junior Justin Flores.

Junior Kluvsen Jean-Pierre says he likes when guests come over to give tips for future careers.

“I’m not as nervous when I have to speak in front of the whole class anymore,” said sophomore Julia Morales.

“It’s been rewarding to teach constitutional law to a group of students who are interested in the subject and have voluntarily chosen to be in the program,” said English and Constitutional Law teacher Ms. Suarez.

Experiences from being in the legal magnet are mostly positive, but some students have their complaints. Freshman Carlos Martinez does not like that the program takes away two electives. Sophomore Matthew Valdes said, “I don’t like doing the articles that are due at the end of each week.”