Special program for WNY high school students to explore landmark free speech case

High school students in Western New York have a unique opportunity this fall to delve into the U.S. legal system through a free, semester-long civics program offered by the Supreme Court Historical Society.

 

The initiative, known as the "Supreme Court and My Hometown" program, will bring together approximately 30 students from Buffalo and Rochester to study the landmark First Amendment case, West Virginia State Board of Education v. Barnette (1943).

 

This case, which addressed whether public schools can require students to salute the American flag, remains a cornerstone of free speech rights in the United States.

 

Although the case did not originate in New York, it holds significant regional relevance. The majority opinion was authored by Justice Robert H. Jackson, a native of Western New York. Organizers emphasize that his role will be a major focus of the program, helping students connect national history to their local community.

 

Juliette Morris, curriculum development manager at the Society, explained that the program partners with federal courts to provide students with hands-on exposure to the judicial system. This year, it will run in collaboration with the U.S. District Court for the Western District of New York and the Robert H. Jackson Center.

 

Participants will engage in discussions with federal judges, attorneys, and legal experts, observe live court proceedings, and attend networking sessions with courthouse professionals in various roles. Unlike traditional mock trial programs, the emphasis is less on courtroom performance and more on understanding the historical and legal journey of a Supreme Court case.

 

The program culminates in a collaborative capstone project. Students will design a museum-style exhibit explaining the case and Justice Jackson's impact. These exhibits will be displayed in local courthouses, offering the public a chance to learn from the students' work.

 

The program is open to students entering 10th, 11th, or 12th grade for the 2026–2027 school year who live within commuting distance of Buffalo or Rochester. The schedule includes an orientation in August, followed by sessions on select Tuesdays from September 15 through December 8, from 4–6 p.m. at the Robert H. Jackson United States Courthouse in Buffalo and the Kenneth B. Keating Federal Building in Rochester.

 

Applications are due by April 24, 2026, at 11:59 p.m. ET. Students can apply through the Society's website under the "Hometowns" program section.

 

Organizers aim to provide students with a deeper understanding of the judicial branch while connecting them with professionals in the field. By the end of the program, participants won't just learn about a historic case—they'll become experts capable of teaching others in their community.

 

For students interested in law, history, or public service, this program offers a rare, real-world look at how constitutional principles shape everyday life.

 

"While we will be doing a moot court of West Virginia versus Barnette, overall the program is pretty different from mock trial. We get a lot of kids who are part of mock trial who end up applying and attending the program. But what's different about hometowns is that you're focusing less on how to argue a case and more about the history of the case and how we can learn about the federal judicial branch through how this case went through the courts. So it's a lot of networking with, for them, the adults in the room who are really experienced in arguing cases and perhaps have even argued at the Supreme Court themselves. It's a lot of talking with people who work in the courthouse. So we do a networking lunch for them so that they can meet people who aren't attorneys. What's it like to be an IT person in a courthouse? What's it like to be a pretrial or a probation officer? And then you do get the moot court aspect in there, but it's a much more in-depth and widespread experience," said Morris.