Two Nansemond River High School students will put their legal minds to the test before the Virginia Supreme Court after being selected for the third and final round of the Model Judiciary Program.

Michael Govan and Brionna Hunter were among seven students selected to attend the event in Richmond on April 10 after recently competing successfully in the appellate round at the Virginia Court of Appeals in Chesapeake.

Nansemond River High’s model judiciary team had advanced to the appellate round after winning its two mock trials at the Norfolk Circuit Court.

The team’s co-sponsors are social studies teachers Inga Francis and Holly Saunders. Francis, a trained lawyer and former commonwealth’s attorney, said the contest is not just for students who want to become lawyers.

“It’s a mixture of debate, public speaking, a mock trial and theater,” Francis said. “It’s applying what we’ve been trying to teach them throughout high school. It’s a synthesis of everything we want our kid to be able to do when they leave this high school.”

From a professional viewpoint, she said the students outperform many third-year law students. “I could name a few lawyers right here in Hampton Roads who could not perform as well,” she said.

According to Saunders, the biggest skill the students come away with is the ability to argue a point of view.

“It takes courage to stand up before legal professionals and talk to them about legal arguments,” she said. “It really develops their public speaking skills and self-esteem.”

Brionna, 17, explained that her team’s case, John Diamond v. the Commonwealth of Virginia, involves a murder.

“We were the defense team,” she said. “He (the defendant) was tried for first-degree murder of his girlfriend.”

She said she planned to delve deeper into the intriguing field of law, despite intending to major in business at college.

The appeals court was the most interesting stage of the competition, according to Brionna. “They seemed to like my answers,” she said. “I thought quickly on my feet and had facts behind my answers.

“I’m excited (about going to the Virginia Supreme Court in Richmond). It’s a great accomplishment and I look forward to seeing what our results are.”