Skyline Magnet High School

Advanced Academic Clusters

LEGAL STUDIES

Mr. Héctor L. Rodríguez

Program Coordinator

hectrodriguez@dallasisd.org

(972) 502-3536

Skyline Magnet

MISSION - Our mission is to create lifelong learners and learners that collaborate for positive achievement.
VISiON - Every staff member and student will increase their learning and leadership and promote a culture of collaborative achievement.

Skyline High School

MISSION - Skyline will be the premier career development center in the nation.

VISION - As America’s first Magnet High School, we are building a legacy of leaders by graduating every scholar in college, career, or military strong

Dallas ISD’s Career and Technical Education

VISION - Dallas ISD’s Career and Technical Education Department’s vision is to support innovative CTE programs that prepare individuals to succeed in their education and careers and poise them to flourish in a global, dynamic economy through leadership, advocacy, and partnerships. We are dedicated to helping graduates prepare for a career field where they will earn a living wage that offers advancement and lifelong learning opportunities.

PROGRAM LEADERSHIP

Mr. Hector

Rodriguez

Legal Studies Coordinator / MT Sponsor & Coach

Mr. Austin

Quesenberry

Criminal Law

Attorney Advisor

/ MT Coach

Mrs. Yianna

Lazanas

Civil Law

Attorney Advisor

/ MT Coach

Dr. Martha Williams

Courthouse Liaison

/ MT Coach

STUDENT LEADERSHIP

Student Officers

SKYLINE HIGH SCHOOL

School Website

PROGRAM OF STUDY

Program of Study

FALL SEMESTER 22-23

Check out all our activities from August to December 2022

(Click on the image)

SPRING SEMESTER 22-23

Check out all our activities from January to June 2023

(Click on the image)

Apply Today! The deadline is January 31, 2024

*When completing the application, remember to select Skyline High School Advanced Social Sciences Legal Studies as your 1st choice. Interviews will take place on Wednesdays, afterschool.

Steps to Apply

(Click Here)

Important

Dates & Info

(Click Here)

CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR FUTURE ATTORNEYS!

Congratulations!!! To our scholars who participated in the Stephen F. Austin University Pre-Law Academy 2023. Our two teams made it to the semifinals of the Pre-Law Academy Mock Trial Competition.

Also, Congratulations to our individual awards winners (from left to right) Garbiel Rosales - Best Lawyer; Yunixsa Cervantes - Best Witness; and Xavier Muñoz, our captain -Best Negotiator.!!!! Great Work!

Harvard University High School Mock Trial Seminar 2023

November 1 to 6 - Boston, Massachusetts.

After months of fundraising and preparation, our Mock Trial Team achieved their goal and attended the Harvard University Mock Trial Seminar 2023. Our team accomplished this goal with the support of our legal community, which donated the resources to cover the cost. Also, thanks to our Attorney's advisors and sponsors for always being with us.

Day 1 - Arriving in Boston.

Day 2 - Downtown Boston

Day 3 - MIT & Boston Pier

Day 4 - Harvard Seminar D1

Day 5 - Harvard Seminar D2

Day 6 - Time to go home.

Spring Semester 2023-2024

GRADUATES 2024

Congratulations to our seniors who graduated yesterday.

Thank you for everything! We are proud of you and can’t wait to see what you’ll do next.

Alumni Association

here we go

💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻🤪

End of the Year

Awards Ceremony

May 2024

As the years come to an end, we celebrate the achievements of our students. It has been a fantastic year. We thank everyone who has been part of our program and supported us; without you, it wouldn't have been possible.

Our Legal Studies Officers Induction & Awards Ceremony began with the opening remarks by our President, Nataly Velazquez, and the Induction of our BPA-Law & Law Student’s Society Officer, who the retiring officer swore in.

Certificates of Completion Levels 2024

Based on their progress in the program, our students receive a certificate of completion at the end of the year.

1 Course completed - Participant

2 Courses completed - Explorer

3 Courses completed - Concentrator

4 Courses completed - Completer

5 Courses completed - Graduate

Graduate Level Recipients

Participant Level Recipients

Concentrator Level Recipients

Explorer Level Recipients

Completer Level Recipients

BPA - LAW Recognition Recipients

2024 Service Award Recipients

2024 Rising Star Award Recepients

Student Voting Empowerment Coalition

Honors Recipients

2024 Leadership Award Recipients

Ruth Bader Ginsburg Award

Mock Trial Team Semifinalist

2024 Academic Award Recipients

Special Recognition

Nataly Velazquez

Freshmen of the Year

Jonathan Ontiveros

Senior of the Year

Gabriel Rosales

Sophomore of the Year

Luciana Gonzalez

Witness of the Year

Paris Chavarria

Junior of the Year

Jennifer Rivera

Lawyer of the Year

Johana Sifuentes

SMU - Hart Global Leaders Forum

May 2024

1st Speaker- Jeffrey A. Engel, SMU Center for Presidential History.

2nd Seminar: The Transatlantic Alliance by Prof. Stefano Recchia.

Keynote Speaker

Teresa May

Former UK Prime Minister

SMU - Hart Global Leaders Forum

May 2024

1st Speaker- Jeffrey A. Engel, SMU Center for Presidential History.

2nd Seminar: The Transatlantic Alliance by Prof. Stefano Recchia.

Keynote Speaker

Teresa May

Former UK Prime Minister

Voir Dire

April 2024

Texas Appeals Court judges participate in recreating the arguments for Tinker v. Des Moines. Moot Court—Model. It is an excellent experience for our students to see judges and lawyers from higher courts in action. Dallas Bar Association Voir Dire 2024

CTE Summer

Internships EXPO

April 2024

Congratulations to our Legal Studies Program scholars who the District invited to participate in this year's CTE Summer Internships in-person interviews at the SMU Campus last Friday. They all secured their summer internships for their junior year. Great Work, Guys!!!

Skyline's Annual

Egg Hunt

March 2024

Skykine’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt !!! We had a great time with the little ones in our community. Thanks to our students who participated either by donating or being present during the hunt for our kids! 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Rockwall County Courthouse

March 2024

We had a great visit to the Rockwall County Courthouse. Our students saw legal procedures and talked to judges, Bailiffs, Court reporters, and the Prosecutor. Thanks to our industry partners @austin.quesenberry @yianna_law_08 for their continued support of our program.

Legal Diversity Pipeline

Capstone Project

February / March 2024

Our students participated in a program where they learned and were trained in Business Law by our Baker & Botts LLP industry partners. Lawyers came to the school for two days. The final project was at the Offices of Baker Botts LLP.

Day 1 - Contract Law

Day 2 - Advertisement

Day 3 - Final Capstone Project - Offices of Baker Botts LLP

Skyline HS Senior Scholarship

Silent Auction Fundraiser

February 2024

Skyline High School Senior Scholarship Silent Auction Fundraiser 2024. Thank you, Gabriel & Johana, for representing our program. Our students met the President of Skyline Alumni Association and the legendary Coach, J D Mayo.

Criminal Justice Forum Dallas Baptist Univ.

February 2024

Today, our Freshman class is participating in the William B. Dean, M.D. Institute for Criminal Justice Leadership—Criminal Justice Forum at Dallas Baptist University 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻, preparing our Advocates of tomorrow.

In Memoriam of Dr. Wicker

Thank you ! your legacy lives in us!

February 2024

Today, we celebrate the memory of a giant and a Pillar of our Mock Trial Team. Dr. Wicker. In addition to serving as the lead teacher in the “Man and His Environment” in the Advanced Social Sciences Magnet Program at Skyline High School, Joe was the proud sponsor of the award-winning Skyline High School Mock Trial Team. His team was the 2009 & 2015 Texas State Champions; 2009, 2010, 2012, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, and 2018 Dallas Regional Champions; 2017 and 2019 Dallas Regional Finalist; the Texas State semi-finalists in 2003, 2005, 2007, 2010, 2011, 2016, and 2019 and the Texas State finalist in 2006, 2017. The team placed 16th at the 2009 Nationals. Thank you for your leadership, service, and commitment to our students & team at Skyline High School. Your memory will remain forever with us. Rest in Power!!

Mock Trial Team

Celebrates this year achievement!

February 2024

(2/16) Our Mock Trial Team celebrated the end of our first part of the season. As always, with food 🤷🏼‍♂️🤪 Thank you, Dr. Williams, for your support and cupcakes 😋

TOP 4

Congratulations!!

Mock Trial Team

January 2024

Well.. we did it !! Dallas ISD

Top 4 Next stop:

Semifinals.. here we go

We are back at the top.

Regionals Semifinals

February 2024

The semifinals are over. It was a great season, and we reached our goal. Now, to prepare for the awards luncheon and whatever challenge may come next. GReat Work Team!!.

Texas High School Mock Trial Competition 2024

Dallas ISD Regional

Awards Luncheon

February 2023

Congratulations to our Team for making it to the Top four out of 24 schools; it is a great achievement.

Congratulations to Gabriel Rosales - Best Lawyer Nominee for 2nd year in a row

Congratulations to Paris Chavarria - Best Witness Nominee 2024

Legal Diversity Pipeline Volunteers Training

January 2023

A Street Law Org Program in partnership with Baker Botts LLP and Skyline High School Legal Studies. Our students will be trained in Business Law by Baker Botts LLP Lawyers. Working hard for our students

Texas High School Mock Trial Competiton

Dallas ISD Regionals - Day 1

January 2024

✅ 💪🏻💪🏻 On the books. Amazing first day. Now, let's get ready for the quarterfinals!!!

🙌🏻🙏🏻

BPA Regional Competition

January 2024

BPA-Legal—Our Legal Studies chapter of Business Professionals of America is ready for a day of conferences and competitions.

Good Luck to all our competitors

BPA Area 1 - Region 2 Conference 2024

💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

State Qualifiers

Congratulations!!

Ricardo Concha - 2nd place Business Law & Ethics
Jessica Romo - Top 5 Ethics & Professionalism
April Pedraza - Top 5 Legal Office Management

Mock Trial Scrimmages 2024

January 2024

1st Scrimmage of the season is on the books. ✅ Thank You! Centennial High School for your collaboration. 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

2nd Scrimmage ✅ 2024 Season - Creekview High School - Carrolton- Farmers Branch ISD. Great Work everyone 💪🏻💪🏻💪🏻

Fall Semester 2023-2024

Mock Trial

Competition

December 2023

Our first Mock Trial Practice at the courtroom - George Allen Courthouse 134th Civil District Court

Mock Trial

Secret Santa

December 2023

Mock Trial 🤫 Santa 🎄🎁! Skyline High School Mock Trial Team wishes everybody a very happy holiday break!

Celebrating our Mock Trial Seniors

November 2023

Our Mock Trial Juniors and Sophomores brought presents to our Seniors to celebrate their contributions to our team. Also, we celebrate our Best Witness and Social Media Manager on her 18th birthday. We are a family!

Congratulations

and Thank You!

Professionalism with Youth Justice Alliance and

Mizzen + Main

November 2023

We thank Mr. Justin Schofield for connecting with Mizzen + Main and The Youth Justice Alliance for donating such great shirts to our Mock Trial Team boys for their upcoming competitions.

"Conversation with our Leaders" Series 1st Speaker, and our Traditional Thanksgiving Putlock

November 2023

For our First Speaker, we introduce to the cluster our Attorney Advisor, Mr. A. Qusenberry -A Criminal Defense Lawyer who coaches our Mock Trial Team and advises our program. Afterward, our kids enjoy an afternoon of camaraderie and fun.

Public Speaking Prep

November 2023

Fresmens take up the courtroom to begin practicing their public speaking skills with the assistance of our experienced seniors and Mock Trial lawyers.

Mock Trial Clinic

Dallas Bar Associatoin

November 2023

Our Mock Trial Team new members attended the 2023-204 MT clinic at the George Allen Courthouse.

Treat & Trunk 2023

October

Skyline continues its tradition of bringing the spirit of Halloween to our community families and kids. Our students, as always, were present to share their joy.

Homecoming

Week 2023

October

Our students celebrating Homecoming Week dress in cowboy outfits and showcasing their mums.

Pipeline to Public Defense

SMU Dedman School of Law

October 2023

Texas public defense providers and experts discuss the current state of public defense in Texas and share advice on building a successful career as an attorney dedicated to providing public defense services.

Professionalism with

Youth Justice Alliance & PWR WMN

October 2023

Thank you to PWR WMN for empowering our girls through their philosophy, story, and blazers. AttorneysMr. Carrillo, Mr. Schofield, and Mr. Gordon thank you for sharing your time with our boys.

Lastly, thank you to YJA for coordinating the event.

Business Professional Of America - Legal Studies

October 2023

A new leadership opportunity for our students is our own BPA Chapter. We aim to provide our students with diverse opportunities to compete, run for office, and build resumes.

HARVARD Mock Trial Seminar Parent Meeting

September 2023

Our trip to Harvard is getting near. Today, we had our meeting with parents and lawyers.

See ya soon, Lexi!!

September 2023

On this day, we had to say until net time to one of our own, who, for personal reasons, had to embark on a new adventure.

In Legal Studies, we are a family! We'll miss you, Lex. Don't forget to visit.

College & Career Readiness

September 2023

We thank our Magnet Program Coordinator, Mr. J. Solorguren, for helping our seniors understand how to prepare to apply for college and their options. We are College-Ready.

Mock Trial Team

23-24 Season Begins

August 2023

Our Mock Trial Team had its first official meeting in September, which included five new members for this year. We are ready!!

Classes begin

August - September 2023

On the left, Juniors in their Advanced Legal Skills class were practicing their Intake process new client interview skills.

On the right is our first senior class, heading out on their first day of practicum.

New Year

New Classroom

August 2023

In August, we begin the year in a new classroom more suited for our new courtroom that's on its way. As always, our students work together to put the classroom in good shape.

Mock Trial Team

Summer Meeting July 2023

Our Mock Trial Team celebrated the achievement of raising 13K dollars to attend the 2023 Harvard University High School Mock Trial Seminar in the fall by meeting up and creating the agenda and next steps for our upcoming trip.

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