For two weeks prior to the start of school, two Cumberland County High School students not only took time off to relax and enjoy the homework-free nights, but also learned about the law, argued a case in front of a judge and researched the profession’s impact on society.

It’s all part of Alicia Riddle and Trevon Foster’s hopes and dreams to one day become lawyers.

Riddle, a ninth grader, and Foster, an

eleventh grader, recently attended the Minority Law and Research Institute at Southern University and A&M College in Baton Rouge, La. to study the field of law.

The activity may be rare for most high schoolers — especially in the summer — but it was one Foster and Riddle were inspired by.

The two, who were among the select few in the nation chosen to attend, learned from lawyers-turned-professors about what it means to be a lawyer, how cases are handled and the various types of crimes.

According to the institute, the program is designed to “expose underrepresented students to consider careers in law, research and the legal profession.” The institute serves as an effective way of identifying and recruiting future lawyers interested in the career options of the legal profession, noted the application.

The two high school students, who wore business-professional attire the entire 14 days, analyzed courtroom cases, conducted loads of research and interacted with a judge.

“It’s like you went to college,” said Foster, who’s interested in becoming a lawyer. He said there weren’t many African-Americans in the profession and called the institute a chance for him to learn about law.

This is the second year Cumberland County has participated, said High School Principal Jeff Scales.

During the mock trial, Foster said he role played as a prosecuting attorney and witness. He was able to perform a cross-examination and was cross-examined himself.

“It was fun because you get to ask them questions … It makes it harder for the defense, so it just like excited me and to be able to speak up in front of the judge,” he said.

Foster learned that law was something that wasn’t easy or super hard. “It taught me that law is fun. It’s complicated at times.”

Riddle, who noted that law school fascinated her, said the program was fun and exciting.

“I liked how they actually treated us like we were … college students. The schedule was very hectic. We would start early in the morning, like I would wake up at 6 a.m. and get back to the dorms around 11 p.m.,” she said.

Riddle said she enjoyed the lectures and learning about the types of court cases and crimes.

“They would tell us about how their cases were and they taught us about the different types of law and taught us about bankruptcy,” she said.

One of her favorite parts of the program, said Riddle, was learning about how people can be helped through the profession.

The program served as a teaching tool for time management and other useful life skills, the two agreed.

“They need to get the exposure to see if there’s a possible career for them,” Scales said of the program. “The importance of it is about the exposure,” he said.