La Joya, TX - For more than one hundred La Joya ISD Criminal Justice students, the courtroom came to life in an unforgettable way as they witnessed history unfold right here in the Rio Grande Valley.
Students from Jimmy Carter Early College High School (JCECHS) and Juarez-Lincoln High School’s P-TECH program recently attended a live Texas Supreme Court oral argument session held at the UTRGV Performing Arts Complex - the first time the state’s highest civil court has convened in the Valley in more than a decade.
The rare event offered students a firsthand look at how the judicial system works at the highest level in Texas, giving them the opportunity to observe real cases, hear legal arguments, and see the justices deliberate on issues that impact communities across the state.
One of the cases discussed during the session centered on whether the State of Texas can close Boca Chica Beach during SpaceX rocket launches, highlighting how court decisions can influence public access, economic development, and state policy.
Among the nearly 1,000 attendees, JCECHS student Luz Morado received a distinguished honor - she was one of only four audience members selected to ask a question directly to the Texas Supreme Court justices.
Morado asked, “Considering the Texas Constitution, how do you stay loyal to the original texts and laws while considering modern situations and times of cases?”
For students interested in pursuing careers in law, government, and public service, the experience brought classroom learning to life.
“Experiencing a live oral argument gave our students a firsthand look at the legal process and the role of advocacy in the courtroom,” said Alvin Garza, College, Career, & Military Readiness Coach at Juarez-Lincoln High School. “It helped students see how careers in law, public service, and the justice system connect directly to what they are learning in the classroom.”
Texas Supreme Court Justice Evan Young (Place 9) also spoke to students about the importance of understanding the role of the judicial system.
“I hope that those who come, especially the young people, the students, will find that it's less mysterious than they had thought,” Young said. “The judicial system of Texas belongs to the people of Texas.”
Justice Young also emphasized the significance of the court’s decisions, noting that rulings made by the Texas Supreme Court set legal precedent for all 254 counties across the state.
“That’s why it’s really important that we get it right,” Young said. “If we get it wrong, we're messing up not just the one case that we're deciding, but lots of other cases as well.”
For La Joya ISD students, witnessing the Texas Supreme Court in action served as a powerful reminder that the paths they are exploring today can lead to meaningful careers in law, leadership, and public service.
Experiences like these reflect La Joya ISD’s ongoing commitment to preparing empowered graduates, providing students with real-world learning opportunities that expand their understanding of college and career pathways while inspiring them to make an impact in their communities and beyond.