Students from Bennie Dover Jackson Middle School in New London attended Civics First’s statewide Mock Trial Competition on Feb. 6, the first time the city has sent students to the competition.

The team, made of Rochelle Garcia-Sosa, Kloe Tedford, Ernsley Joseph, Nazariah Isaac, Gabriella Montalvo, D’eshawn Mooney, Nasir Lukes, Falens Joseph, Ty’azia Lawson and Miguel Martinez, met weekly since September with Judge Kenneth Shluger and teacher and adviser Anne Klotzbier to learn about opening statements, direct examinations, cross-examinations and closing arguments.

For the rest of the year, students on the team will work with Shluger in the school’s Law Advisory program.