H-ton Sophomore Wins Federal Court Institute Honors

Huntington sophomore Alexandra Boeckmann is quickly developing into one of the high school’s brightest stars. The teenager recently completed the Eastern District of New York Justice Institute at which her three man team won the mock trial competition and she captured the “Top Gun Award for Best Lawyer Overall Performance.”

The District Court for the Eastern District of New York, in partnership with the Eastern District of New York Chapter of the Federal Bar Association and Touro College Jacob D. Fuchsberg Law Center launched the Justice Institute, a week long, interactive learning program that is the first of its kind hosted by a federal court and federal judges.

Ms. Boeckmann was among about 100 select high school students from Nassau and Suffolk counties to participate in the program. Her participation in the Huntington High School mock trial program helped lead her to the Justice Institute.

Ms. Boeckmann’s interests include the high school’s student government and Key Club, drama club and the Blue Devil volleyball team as well as ballet. She is interested in a career in law.

“The week culminated with a mock trial competition and my team won the championship,” said Ms. Boeckmann proudly. “I was also recognized for best overall performance as an attorney. My team had students from Islip and Miller Place. Kyle Diamond and Ash Littner were my teammates.”

The program, led by US Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit Judge Joseph F. Bianco, is designed to introduce incoming sophomores to the workings of the federal courts and the criminal justice system and to promote an enlightened and responsible citizenry.

Ms. Boeckmann is expected to star on this coming year’s Huntington mock trial team. Most of last year’s roster is returning making the Blue Devils one of Suffolk’s strongest programs coming into the 2025 campaign.

The Justice Institute program was held at the Long Island federal courthouse in Central Islip as well as the Touro Law Center and consisted of several components that allowed the students to learn about the legal system and to develop basic advocacy skills in a fun and interesting format.

“This program opened up the minds of high school students and taught them about the law and legal careers,” said Touro Associate Dean Myra Berman, who worked with Judge Bianco in developing the program. “The program will surely have a lasting impact on those who participated. I look forward to expanding the program for both Touro Law students, our local high school students and incorporating more of our alumni as mentors.”

Participants heard presentations from multiple federal judges, FBI agents, a U.S. Secret Service Agent, Deputy U.S. Marshals, law professors, federal prosecutors and criminal defense lawyers about their respective roles within the federal court system.

The students also observed real court proceedings in the federal courthouse; including a guilty plea and a sentencing and discussed what they observed with a federal judge. The teenagers were taught basic advocacy skills in several sessions by experienced lawyers, engaged in daily practice sessions with Touro law students who served as their mock trial coaches and participated at the end of the week in the mock trial competition against the other high school students.