Imagine if all state legislation was drafted and passed by teenagers. Earlier this month, seven Dartmouth High students took on the role of state legislators and justices at the State House, but for better or worse, it was only a mock simulation.

Caelyn Faria, Meredith Nailor, Andrew Falcon, Ryan Secia, Harshil Patel, Isabella Filipe, and James George visited Boston on March 2, 3, and 4 for the annual Youth and Government Conference. There, students drafted and debated bills, and voted on legislation.

“The program gives kids a taste of debating and abiding by our core values – caring, honesty and respect. It’s helpful to give kids help in public speaking, and it’s for those with an interest in government,” said Advisor Jamie O’Neil, who was proud of her students although none of their proposed bills were passed.

Nailor won the Outstanding Oral Advocate award for her defense of a bill honoring traditional Muslim food. She’ll be the first Dartmouth student to go to the National Judicial Conference in Chicago this summer.

Patel, an aspiring lawyer, worked on a team of six prosecutors in the mock trial portion of the event.

"I just love how the program mocks the work of real-world attorneys. I learned how to become a better attorney," Patel said via email.

Students prepped for the weekend event at four smaller and shorter conference, where they brainstormed bills, learned about the structure of state government, and elected governors and other key officials.

Statewide, the program attracts 150 students. O’Neil used to participate in the program when she was a Dartmouth High student, and led the charge to resurrect it when she started teaching in 2009. Program numbers have steadily increased to the record-setting seven attendees this year.